Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Two British nationals were among those injured in the attacks in egypt.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has condemned the "callous terrorists" who bombed the Egyptian resort of Dahab.
The British Embassy in Cairo has confirmed two British nationals were among those injured in the attacks, which killed at least 23 people.
The British ambassador has travelled to Dahab. He visited the two injured Britons in hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Both have now been moved to a Cairo hospital for further treatment.
Three explosions occurred in a bustling area popular with tourists during the early evening when many people would have been out in cafes and restaurants.
The foreign secretary said he had sent a message of condolence and solidarity to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, and was in close contact with the Egyptian authorities.
"I utterly condemn these appalling bombings in Dahab, which have been targeted at a popular holiday resort and on an Egyptian public holiday," said Mr Straw on Monday.
"Once again terrorists have demonstrated their callous disregard for human life.
"The people of Egypt have shown great resolve in the face of previous terrorist attacks, and we stand side by side with them once again."
The three blasts occurred at around 1900 (1800 BST) in a busy shopping and restaurant area close to the seafront, eyewitnesses said.
Dahab is a low-key resort popular with Western backpackers, divers and budget Israeli tourists.
Blair condemns Egyptian bombings
For every extra million tourists that come to Egypt there are another 200,000 jobs created British ambassador, Sir Derek Plumley
The British ambassador, Sir Derek Plumley, told BBC News he and a team from the British consulate in Cairo had opened temporary offices in Dahab and Sharm el-Sheikh "just to check with regard to other British citizens who are here at the present moment who might have concerns".
The two injured British nationals were not thought to be in a "critical condition", he added.
Dahab was a "very, very beautiful place" and it was "particularly sad" the bombings had happened there, Sir Derek told BBC News.
Tourism was "vitally important" to Egypt, he added.
"It is one of its major sources of income... a major employer.
"For every extra million tourists that come to Egypt there are another 200,000 jobs created.
"And this is a top priority for the government."
Middle East analyst Simon Henderson told BBC News the Egyptian government would be "tremendously embarrassed".
"They try to make out Egypt is a friendly and attractive place for foreigners," he added.
The main suspects would be a local group "inspired" by al-Qaeda, Mr Henderson.
Southern Sinai peninsula resorts have been hit several times by bomb attacks.
See the aftermath of the attacks
There had been talk that a number of people involved with those previous attacks were still at large BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera
Sixty-four people, including 11 Britons, were killed last July in a similar attack in Sharm el-Sheikh, further south along the coast.
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said the latest bombs - "bags of explosives left in various shops and cafes" - had been "slightly more primitive" than those used in the previous attacks.
"Those previous attacks were blamed on local militants supported by Bedouin tribes from the Sinai aggrieved at both the Egyptian state and foreign tourists coming in.
"And there had been talk that a number of people involved with those previous attacks were still at large."
The "initial working assumption" was a local group "inspired by but not directed by al-Qaeda" was responsible, Corera added.

As we realised what was going on and tried to make our way out of the restaurant, the third bomb blast went off Steve Riches, British tourist
Steve Riches, from Essex, said he had been about 100 metres from the first two explosions.
He told BBC Radio Five Live he and his friends, who are trained diving instructors, tried to help with first aid.
"As we realised what was going on and tried to make our way out of the restaurant, the third bomb blast went off and that was about 60 or 70 metres away, so pretty loud, pretty scary," he said.
"We got involved as much as we could while trying to keep to a relatively safe distance.
"It was pretty chaotic and pretty confusing."
Another British tourist, Paul McBeath, said the blasts came with "no warning whatsoever".
He told Sky News: "There were just three loud bangs and people rushing around. Everybody is shaken."
Family's escape from Egypt bombs

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