Blast in crowded Cairo tourist area wounds 14

Ap
Sunday 22 February 2009 19:04 GMT
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A bomb exploded Sunday in a crowded Cairo market frequented by tourists, wounding at least 14 people, including foreigners, said police and medical sources.

The injured included French and German tourists, said a security official who did not have an exact breakdown of the wounded.

The blast took place in the famed Khan el-Khalili market in medieval Cairo, frequented by tourists and locals alike. Blood could be seen, on the marble paving stones in front of the historic Hussein mosque.

A police colonel at the scene said the small bomb went off outside a cafe near the mosque kicking up stone and marble fragments, which wounded the passersby.

Riot police cordoned off the area and sniffer dogs could be seen as worshippers were being evacuated. A security official said police were attempting to defuse a second bomb. Fire engines were also on the scene.

Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they was not authorized to speak to the press.

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