A mother and her young daughter have been seriously injured after a grenade exploded inside their bedroom in what authorities believe was a gang-related attack on the wrong home — the latest in a wave of violent incidents linked to Sweden’s migrant-dominated criminal underworld.
Emergency services were called just before midnight on Sunday to a row of terraced houses in Tumba, south of Stockholm, after an explosion triggered a large fire. Police now confirm that a hand grenade, likely thrown through a bedroom window, caused the blast.
According to Aftonbladet, the injured family had no connection to criminal activity and were mistakenly targeted. The real intended victim is believed to have been a nearby resident with ties to a criminal network feud. He had reportedly received direct threats and, moments after the explosion, was sent a chilling message containing a bomb emoji.
“This was a targeted attack, but tragically it hit innocent victims,” said a police spokesperson. “A mother and her child are now fighting for their lives because of this reckless violence.”
The mother remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while the daughter’s condition is serious but stable.
The attack has once again highlighted the spillover of Sweden’s gang warfare into everyday life. In recent years, the country, once regarded as one of Europe’s safest, has seen a sharp rise in shootings, bombings, and explosions, many linked to organized crime groups often involving individuals with migrant backgrounds.
Locals spoke to the Swedish newspaper about the attack, expressing their horror at how their community has descended into a warzone.
“I tried to help her, but there was nothing I could do,” said a neighbor. “How can this happen to a family with children?”
“It feels unsafe now,” said Lara, 20, who has lived in the area her whole life. “We’ve played together, and now this happens. It hurts my heart.”
There have been growing calls for stronger security measures, with locals demanding surveillance cameras and a greater police presence. “We can’t live like this,” said Amanda Pettersson, 27. “This area used to be safe. Now it feels like the violence is creeping right to our doorsteps.”
Authorities have launched a major investigation into what they are treating as aggravated destruction of public safety and gross violation of the Flammable and Explosive Goods Act. No arrests have yet been made.
In January, Remix News reported on the unprecedented wave of gang-related bombings across Sweden after 32 explosions were recorded in 28 days.
“Sweden is facing an epidemic of shootings and bombings unmatched in the Western world. It is reasonable to address the reality that criminals are getting younger,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said at the time.
The government has consequently announced plans to consider lowering the age of responsibility to 14, in addition to renewed efforts to target online recruiters of gangs using social media platforms to target a younger audience.
