UPDATED NEWS: Red Sea resort blasts – ’30 dead’

Tuesday, 08 Oct, 2004 0

At least 30 people are reported to have been killed – with dozens more missing or injured – in three bomb blasts at hotels in Egypt.

The biggest of the three explosions took place at the Hilton hotel in the town of Taba, which lies next to the border with Israel.

Most of those killed are thought to be Israelis in Egyptian Red Sea resort to celebrate the Sukkot holiday.

The BBC News website quotes Israeli officials as saying that the blast was caused by a truck bomb that rammed the hotel, causing 10 floors to collapse.

One witness is quoted as saying: “There are dozens of people on the floor, lots of blood, it is very tense. I was in the casino when it happened. There was a massive explosion and the left wall came down. People started to run around like crazy.”

The two other blasts, which are believed to have killed at least two people, took place at backpacker resorts near the Red Sea resort of Nuweiba.

Egyptian authorities have reportedly been saying that there is no evidence of terrorism, but Israel has stated that the explosions are “more fitted to the international terror groups like al-Qaeda or some branches of al-Qaeda”.

Leading Red Sea specialist Longwood Holidays reported that all 19 of its guests who were involved in the explosion at the Taba Hilton last night have been found safe and well.

Managing director Rafi Caplin said: “As of 8:30am this morning all our clients have now been located and are safe. We have a team in Taba and Eilat who are liaising with the local authorities to try to obtain further information.”

Longwood Holidays has advised that clients who do not wish to travel to Taba on Monday, October 11 from Gatwick and Manchester will be fully refunded.

For the time being, flights to all other Longwood Holidays’ Egypt destinations – Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor – will be operating as usual.

ABTA reported that all holidaymakers travelling with association members in the Taba region are safe and accounted for. None are injured.

The association has assessed that there are nearly 1,000 holidaymakers with ABTA companies stayng in the Taba region. Of these, 23 were at the Hilton and are safe.

The majority of holidaymakers are staying at unaffected hotels at the resort of Taba Heights.

“ABTA members and their staff have the deepest sympathy for all those affected by this incident and the safety of their customers remains a priority,” said a spokeswoman.

ABTA has received reports that local security has been stepped up. ABTA is also closely monitering Foreign Office advice, which so far has not changed and so in most instances customers can expect normal terms and conditions to apply.

But ABTA advised customers who are due to travel imminently to contact their tour operator.

Thomson launches an expanded winter programme to the Red Sea in November and admitted the Taba bombing could result in a “dip” in bookings.

“It’s too early to say if there will be an impact on business but while this is in the news we may see a dip in bookings in the short term,” a spokeswoman said.

She confirmed that there were no TUI group clients in Taba at the time of the Hilton blast.

Thomson’s increased winter coverage of Red Sea resorts is mainly centred on Sharm el Sheik, about 130 miles away from Taba, and Hurghada. The company announced in June plans to add 30 new hotels a more regional flights to the region this winter.

Egyptian tourism authorities have been heavily promoting the area under the banner of the Red Sea Riviera, encouraging more UK consumers to visit.

Israel, which last month warned against visiting Egypt because of threats to tourists, has reportedly told all of its citizens to get out of Egypt and is providing transport for any nationals who want to leave the country.

*The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has set up an emergency response unit on 020 7008 0000.

Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd, and Phil Davies