Three explosions at Egyptian resorts near the border with Israel have reportedly killed at least 30 people. The main blast happened at the Hilton hotel in the town of Taba on the Sinai peninsula - a resort that is popular with Israeli tourists. The cause is unclear, but Israeli security sources say they believe it was a car bomb attack. Shortly afterwards two smaller explosions were reported in nearby towns of Ras al-Shitan and Nuweiba. Egyptian hospital officials said four people were killed there. An Egyptian government spokesman put the number of wounded in the Taba blast at more than 160. Israel's deputy defence minister Zeev Boim, who is in Taba, said it was too early to say who carried out the attacks. But he told reporters: "In my personal opinion it seems that it is more fitted to the international terror groups like al-Qaeda or some branches of al-Qaeda."
According to Israeli media, 10 floors of the Hilton Hotel collapsed, trapping many people. The Egyptian authorities say there is no evidence of terrorism. Taba is the main crossing point between Israel and Egypt, and a major gateway for thousands of Israelis going on holiday to resorts and hotels on the Red Sea. Many holidaymakers would have been celebrating the last day of a Jewish holiday, Sukkot. Last month, the Israeli government urged its citizens not to visit Egypt, saying there had been a firm threat to tourists there. Israeli emergency teams are taking part in the rescue, and casualties are being treated in Taba and the nearby Israeli resort of Eilat. |