Over a dozen injured, one killed in bomb blast in Egypt
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Image: Celio Maielo.
At least 20 people have been injured and one has been killed in a bomb blast targeting 'Western tourists' in Cairo, Egypt. The Egyptian Health Ministry reported that a 17-year-old French girl was killed and 13 French, one German and three Saudis tourists, as well as four Egyptians, have been wounded.
The blast occurred at approximately 6:20 p.m. local time inside a cafe near a mosque in the Khan el-Khalili marketplace which is popular with foreign tourists. Authorities say the bomb was placed under a bench.
A second bomb was found, but was defused before it exploded.
Egyptian medical officials said they expect several of the injured to be released from hospital treatment on Monday.
The bombing has caused concern for Cairo authorities, who saw the tourist industry devastated by bombings and shootings by Islamic militants in the 1990s.
The same marketplace was the target of a previous suicide attack in 2005 in which three people were killed and 18 injured. The Khan el-Khalili marketplace is one of Cairo's biggest tourist attractions and has a history dating back to 1382.
Sources
- "At least one killed, 20 wounded in bomb attack in Cairo (3rd Lead)" — Monsters and Critics, February 22, 2009
- "Bomb placed underneath seat in Cafe in Cairo" — United News Network, February 22, 2009
- Agence France-Presse. "Bombs thrown from rooftop: Cairo blasts kill tourist" — The Sydney Morning Herald, February 22, 2009
- Dina Kraft. "Cairo market blast: Bombers 'targeted Western tourists'" — Telegraph Daily Telegraph, February 22, 2009
- Associated Press. "Blast in Cairo tourist area kills French woman" — CTV Television Network, February 22, 2009
- Associated Press. "Bomb blasts in Cairo tourist area" — KTRK-TV, February 22, 2009
- "One killed, 17 hurt in Cairo blast" — Channel 4, February 22, 2009
- Will Rasmussen. "French tourist killed, 20 wounded in Egypt attack" — Reuters, February 23, 2009
