A disturbing video obtained by newsit.gr captures the moment two assailants hurled Molotov cocktails into a café in Agios Panteleimonas—a seaside suburb of Thessaloniki—early Tuesday morning, August 26, 2026. The footage documents the harrowing seconds that staff and patrons endured as flames erupted inside the establishment around 1:30 a.m.
Attack Caught on Camera
According to eyewitness accounts and the café’s owner—who spoke exclusively with newsit.gr—the attackers were two men: one described as shorter and younger, the other taller and older. They approached the venue carrying a bag from which they retrieved at least two petrol-filled bottles, throwing them toward the café before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. A young woman inside sustained minor burns to her leg; her condition is stable and does not raise medical concerns.
Quick Response Prevents Worse Outcome
The owner, who was not present during the attack, said he was alerted by phone and rushed to the site. He confirmed that staff—including his sister—and customers managed to extinguish the fire using water before it could spread. One bottle entered the premises, but quick action prevented significant damage or injury.
‘I Didn’t See It Coming’
When asked whether he could identify any possible motive, the owner emphasized he had never received threats and had no reason to anticipate such violence. ‘No one has ever threatened me—I didn’t expect this,’ he told newsit.gr. He also noted he has only owned the café for four months, a detail investigators may consider as part of their inquiry.
Manhunt Underway
Following the incident, police and firefighters responded immediately. Firefighters conducted a thorough inspection to ensure all embers were fully extinguished and ruled out any risk of re-ignition. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation, reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence to identify and apprehend the suspects. As of now, neither individual has been identified or arrested.