Posted on 10/09/2004 3:31:47 AM PDT by anonymoussierra
Rescuers are searching for survivors of the biggest of three bomb blasts at Egyptian resorts popular with Israelis, in which at least 33 people died. At least 10 people are still missing after the attack on the Hilton hotel in Taba, on Egypt's border with Israel, where most of the victims were killed.
Two died in explosions at a backpacker camping area near the resort of Nuweiba, 60km (38 miles) further south.
Israeli officials say they suspect al-Qaeda involvement in Thursday's blasts.
Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Zeev Boim 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."
The Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have denied involvement.
Devastated
Dozens of Israeli emergency workers are hunting through the rubble of Taba's Hilton hotel, says the BBC's James Reynolds at the site.
As dusk fell, they set up floodlights to continue their search, though rescuers say there is little hope of finding more survivors.
Israeli officials said the attack was caused by a car bomb, which exploded after the vehicle rammed the hotel, and a suicide bomber who detonated a separate bomb.
The devastation is astonishing, our correspondent says.
Palm trees have been felled, spiral staircases are lying on their sides and everywhere is blackened, he reports.
Sunbeds covered in bloodstains are lined up by the outdoor pool.
The dead are believed to be mainly Israeli, as well as at least five Egyptians and one Russian. More than 120 people were wounded.
The other two bombings were in a campsite at Ras al-Shitan, an area that is popular with young Israeli backpackers.
Thousands of Israeli tourists have been flooding back into Israel.
Co-operation
Israel has now told its citizens to leave Egypt, and the US and Germany have warned their citizens against travelling in the Sinai peninsula.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have agreed in the aftermath of the blasts to reinforce co-operation to fight terrorism together
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said it was too early to determine who was responsible.
It is the first major attack on Egyptian soil since the mass killing in the city of Luxor in 1997, in which 58 tourists were shot or hacked to death by Islamist militants.
Security on the Sinai coast has remained relatively lax because Israelis see this zone as an extension of their homeland.
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.
Last month, the Israeli government urged its citizens not to visit the country, saying there had been a firm threat to tourists there.
The bombings are the first major attack on Israelis abroad since the bombing two years ago of a hotel near the Kenyan resort of Mombasa, in which some 16 people died.
Izrael
Bless them all. I pray peace and safety for all the survivors and comfort to those who have lost loved one.
Thank you
"It is the first major attack on Egyptian soil since the mass killing in the city of Luxor in 1997, in which 58 tourists were shot or hacked to death by Islamist militants.
Says it all." Thank you what you write is good!
My heart has always been with the Israeli people. Yet, now even more so as my daughter married an Israeli man last summer. He lives here but his parents and 2 brothers are still in Israel. My prayers go forth for all of them daily remembering the terrorist dangers they face.
Thank you. My name is Sara. My husband GROM help America. BE STRONG AMERICA BE STRONG IZRAEL!!!!!
God Bless you and your husband Sara. I know that as a nation America must support Israel in order to continue being blessed as the nation we are.
Freepmail coming
Thank you
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