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ROME, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the city of Parma, northern Italy, received a letter containing explosive material on Tuesday, local media and officials reported.
The package was received in late morning by the EFSA's mail office; regular security screening revealed something suspicious and authorities were called, the EFSA said on Twitter.
After an inspection, the Italian police found out that the book-sized package contained a small amount of potentially explosive material, plus a battery and wires.
The parcel was addressed to an independent contractor of the Authority, who was not entitled to receive mail at its offices in Parma, according to Ansa news agency.
A bomb squad destroyed it in the square outside EFSA headquarters, and two floors of the building were temporarily evacuated during the operation.
Although small in amount, the powdered explosive material delivered with the package was enough to maim, Ansa reported.
Prosecutors in Bologna launched an investigation into the bomb threat, so far against unknown person, on the charge of unlawfully carrying explosive material with terrorism as aggravating factor.
Special anti-terrorism police force DIGOS in Parma would carry out the inquiry, local media reported.
EFSA is an agency established by the European Union (EU) in 2002. It is in charge of producing scientific opinions and advices on food and nutrition safety, and assessing environmental risks connected with the food chain, for the EU and its member states. Enditem
