A former Greek prime minister has been injured in a car bombing in Athens today.

Greek police say Lucas Papademos, 69, was targeted in the attack in central Athens.

An explosive device was said to have been hidden in an envelope detonated inside the car of former Greek central bank chief.

State TV ERT said Papademos had chest and leg wounds and trouble breathing, but his life was not in danger.

Former Greek prime minister Lucas Papademos, pictured, was targeted in a car bombing in central Athens today

Police were quickly on the scene and it is understood the explosive device had been 'hidden in an envelope or parcel' in the car, pictured

Authorities said doctors were concerned about Mr Papademos's eyesight following the attack on his car, pictured

The Greek media minister described the incident, pictured, as a 'heinous act'

The attack happened in central Athens, pictured, earlier this afternoon

'Mr Papademos and his driver are being rushed to hospital,' a police official said, declining to be named.

Authorities also said doctors were concerned about the politicians eyesight following the blast.

Mr Papademos has served as vice president of the European Central Bank.

It is believed two other people in the car were also injured.

'We are shocked. I wish to condemn this heinous act,' media minister Nikos Pappas told the station.

Mr Papademos headed an interim coalition government at the height of Greece's fiscal crisis that in 2012 negotiated a massive write-down of the country's privately-held debt.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Police said Mr Papademos's police escort had been in a car behind the former prime minister's vehicle, and that the other two wounded were Bank of Greece employees.

Authorities cordoned off the area, and forensics experts were investigating the scene for evidence.

The scene remains cordoned off with a heavy police presence still in the area, pictured

So far no one has claimed responsibility for the blast, which also injured two other people

The former prime minister's car was parked by the side of the road, in front of its escort vehicle. Mr Papademos's car bore little sign of damage, except for buckling on two doors.

Government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos called the blast an 'attack' and said he had been given an update from doctors treating the wounded.

He said all were 'in a stable condition, are conscious, and are undergoing all the necessary medical tests so that their treatment can be determined'.

'With all out heart, we wish Mr Papademos and his companions a speedy recovery. The prime minister has been updated about all the events by the minister of public order and he will continue to receive updates,' Mr Tzanakopoulos said.

It is understood Mr Papademos, pictured, suffered chest and leg injuries which are 'not life-threatening'

In March, Greek anarchist group Conspiracy of Fire Nuclei mailed a letter bomb that injured a secretary at the International Monetary Fund in Paris.

The Conspiracy of Fire Nuclei had earlier claimed responsibility for an explosive device, also sent from Greece, that was discovered by the police at the offices of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

The group, which is considered a terror organisation by Washington, sent letter bombs to foreign embassies in Greece and to European leaders in 2010.