SUKHUM, October 17. /TASS/. An unidentified individual set off a bomb on the premises of Abkhazia’s state television, the Republic’s Interior Ministry reported on Monday.

"A person blew himself up on the premises of the TV center. It is clearly seen that he had a nail bomb. In all probability, he did not act alone. An investigation involving the participation of all Abkhazian law enforcement and security agencies is underway," Abkhazia’s Minister for Internal Affairs, Aslan Kobakhia stated.

The bomb went off at about 07:05 a.m. Moscow time (04:05 GMT). The authorities have qualified the blast as an attempted terrorist attack.

"Abkhazian President Raul Khadzhimba recently wrapped up a meeting with law enforcement and security agencies. This was an attempted terror attack. No one, except for the suspect suffered. An investigation is underway," Abkhazia’s Presidential Spokesman Alkhas Gaguliya informed TASS.

"The situation in Sukhum "is calm on the whole and there is no panic," he added.

Security at the Abkhazian television station has been tightened following the explosion. The Abkhazian president has instructed officials to beef up security at the republic’s facilities, including schools and kindergartens.

The bomb contained up to 200 grams of TNT, Secretary of the Abkhazian Security Council Mukhamed Kilba told TASS. "Based on the latest information, the explosive device was a nail bomb with about 150-200 grams of TNT," he said.