Investigators in the Netherlands are searching for the culprit behind a spate of mail bombs attempting to extort businesses.
Two parcels exploded in the country Wednesday. The first was in Amsterdam, where a mailroom worker heard a hissing noise coming from a package and tossed it aside before it detonated. An hour later, another package exploded at a local business in Kerkrade. No one was injured in either attack, according to the New York Times.
The blasts are believed to be linked to a number of parcel bombs that have been sent to businesses across the country, accompanied by letters demanding the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, although they are the first that have exploded. Authorities said the size of the blasts was comparable to small fireworks.
“It’s fair to say that all of these are connected because the same demand was made,” said Lex van Liebergen, an Amsterdam police spokeswoman. “But we still don’t know who sent it. We are still investigating.”
Investigators have not elaborated on what the attached letters said or how much of the virtual currency the bomber or bombers demanded.
