Bomb explodes inside Venice courthouse

An explosion inside a Venice courthouse was caused by a bomb and not a gas leak, the city’s mayor said.

An explosion inside a Venice courthouse was caused by a bomb and not a gas leak, the city’s mayor said.

Mr Silvio Berlusconi - due to visit Venice today

Police initially suspected the explosion was caused by a gas leak as witnesses said there was a strong smell of gas near the building shortly after the incident.

"It was a bomb," Mayor Paolo Costa said after meeting police officials investigating the explosion.

The explosion occurred at about 3.30 a.m. in the boiler room of the courthouse in the Campo della Corveria, near the famous Rialto bridge on the Grand Canal.

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No one was injured in the blast, but the building was badly damaged.

Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi is due to visit Venice today.