The Hindu : 40 dead in Morocco blasts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 18, 2003

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40 dead in Morocco blasts

The exterior of a hotel damaged in a suicide bomb attack in Casablanca, Morocco on Friday. — Reuters

Casablanca May 17. A series of bomb attacks rocked Morocco's economic capital of Casablanca overnight, killing at least 40 people and injuring 60 at sites frequented by foreigners, including the Belgian consulate, a Jewish community centre and cemetery, an international hotel and a bustling Spanish restaurant.

An official said two Spaniards were among foreigners killed in the attacks just after 2200 GMT (3.30 a.m. IST). Investigations had shown that all the attacks were suicide bombings, and that car bombs had not been used.

The Moroccan Government did not directly implicate Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network in the nearly simultaneous explosions, but the attack confirmed fears that terrorists had plans to strike lightly-defended sites. The planning and coordination of the attacks threw suspicion on the Al-Qaeda, though no group claimed responsibility.

Officials had originally reported that at least three of the explosions were from car bombs, and a fourth was detonated by a suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt in a Spanish restaurant. Residents had reported hearing a fifth explosion.

Casablanca was thrown into chaos. Police and rescue workers rushed to the sites to care for dazed, blood-splattered survivors. The shattered bodies of victims were scattered on the wreckage-strewn streets.

The bombers struck the Hotel Safir in the heart of the old city, a Jewish community centre, a Jewish-owned Italian restaurant and the Casa de Espana social club. A bomb seemingly destined for an old Jewish cemetery appeared to have gone off early. The bulk of the dead were at the club, popular with Spanish business people and diplomats.

``The doorman, poor thing, they cut his head off, with a big knife...then they left one, two bombs. And there were Spaniards. I saw the doorman's chair; it was covered in blood,'' the secretary of the Casa de Espana Spanish social club told Spain's state radio. Three Moroccans had been arrested in connection with the blasts, among them one suspected of attempting a suicide bombing and wounded. — AP, Reuters

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