At least 30 killed in blasts at Egyptian resort

THREE blasts ripped through a popular Egyptian resort last night, killing and wounding dozens of people.

At least 30 people were killed and 100 or so wounded in the Dahab explosions, and the dead apparently included several foreigners.

Last night, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it did not believe there were any Irish nationals among the dead and injured.

Foreign Affairs Minister , Dermot Ahern, said: “I unreservedly condemn these appalling outrages. The international community must do all in its power to ensure that those who carry out such attacks will be brought to justice.”

Islamic extremists have attacked the area in the past and last night Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak said the blasts were the work of terrorists. In Las Vegas, US President George W Bush vowed to bring terrorists to justice. “Today we saw again that the terrorists are willing to try to define the world the way they want to see it.

“I strongly condemn the killings that took place, the innocent life lost in Egypt. This is a heinous act against innocent civilians.”

The blasts were the third set of three explosions on the eastern coast of the Sinai peninsula since October 2004, when terrorists attacked the Hilton hotel in the resort of Taba and two resorts on the north-east coast, killing 34 people.

The Egyptian authorities said a closely related group attacked again in the up-market resort of Sharm el-Sheiklh in July last year, killing at least 67 people.

Yesterday’s explosions coincided with the festival of Shamm el-Nessim, when Egyptians head out of town.

The interior ministry said the blasts hit the Nelson Restaurant, the Aladdin Cafeteria and the Ghazala Supermarket.

Witnesses said smoke billowed up from the town’s tourist bazaar, and residents said they saw body parts and debris on the street after an explosion at a restaurant.

A cafe worker who was 200 metres from the scene said: “We saw many dead people. People were screaming. People were being taken to hospital. Egyptians went to give blood. There were body parts.”

British tourist Paul McBeath said he heard the explosions at 7.15pm local time (6.15pm Irish time).

He told Sky News there had been “no warning whatsoever”.