Children hurt in Mombasa hotel blast - Israelis

Children were among the injured today when an explosion rocked the lobby of a hotel popular with Israelis in Mombasa, Kenya, Israeli officials said.

At about the same time, two missiles were apparently fired at an Israeli aircraft that had just taken off from Mombasa airport.

Ron Prosor, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, said the aircraft continued towards Israel, but Israeli television reports said it was hit and was preparing to make an emergency landing in Nairobi.

The aircraft belonged to the Arkia charter company. A company official, Shlomo Hanael, said the pilot saw a flash of light.

The explosion went off in the lobby of the Paradise Hotel in Mombasa at about 7am (5am Irish time), said Prosor. The hotel is Israeli-owned, Israeli television reports said.

“I heard a loud explosion,” said an Israeli hotel guest, identified only as Rami.

Another guest, Osnat, said there were wounded, including a number of children. Some of the wounded were taken to a nearby small hospital.