This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25874370
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Egypt violence: Large car bomb in central Cairo | Egypt violence: Large car bomb in central Cairo |
(35 minutes later) | |
A car bomb has exploded outside the police headquarters in Egypt's capital, killing four people and wounding 51, Egypt's health ministry says. | A car bomb has exploded outside the police headquarters in Egypt's capital, killing four people and wounding 51, Egypt's health ministry says. |
The powerful blast was felt across Cairo and black smoke could be seen rising over the city centre. | The powerful blast was felt across Cairo and black smoke could be seen rising over the city centre. |
A second blast a couple of hours later in another part of Cairo killed at least one person and wounded 15. | |
The blasts come on the eve of the third anniversary of the start of the 2011 uprising. | |
The revolution brought about the removal of the country's decades-long ruler Hosni Mubarak. | |
No group has said it was behind the attacks. | No group has said it was behind the attacks. |
They came a day after five policemen were shot dead by two gunmen on motorcycles at a checkpoint in Beni Suef province, south of Cairo. | |
Tense time | Tense time |
In the first incident, officials said a booby-trapped car exploded outside Cairo's security directorate. | |
Gunfire was reportedly heard soon afterwards. | |
More than 30 ambulances raced to the scene. Most of the wounded are now in hospital, the health ministry says. | More than 30 ambulances raced to the scene. Most of the wounded are now in hospital, the health ministry says. |
There was extensive damage to the large concrete building with debris strewn across the street. | |
Around six police officers sat on the pavement outside and wept, an Associated Press photographer said. | |
The nearby Islamic museum and the National Archives building were also damaged. | The nearby Islamic museum and the National Archives building were also damaged. |
As people in Cairo were taking in news of the blast, a second explosion occurred in the Dokki district of the capital. | |
One report said police vehicles near the metro station were the target. | |
The BBC's Orla Guerin, reporting from Cairo, says the security directorate is a very significant target and should have been one of the best protected buildings in the city. | The BBC's Orla Guerin, reporting from Cairo, says the security directorate is a very significant target and should have been one of the best protected buildings in the city. |
The attacks come at a tense time, with security forces already on heightened alert ahead of the anniversary of the start of the uprising against Mubarak, she adds. | |
The banned Muslim Brotherhood and its partners are planning demonstrations after Friday prayers across the country. | The banned Muslim Brotherhood and its partners are planning demonstrations after Friday prayers across the country. |
They are the latest in a series of regular demonstrations against the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July - a year after he became Egypt's first democratically-elected leader. | |
Brotherhood supporters are also angry about recent moves to introduce a new constitution. | Brotherhood supporters are also angry about recent moves to introduce a new constitution. |
Interim Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi, speaking in a BBC interview before news of the blasts, set out conditions for parliamentary and presidential elections to be held within the next six months. | |
He said any supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood could take part if "he accepts the new constitution... refuses the use of force and he accepts the idea of a secular government, democratic one, open, no discrimination, no mixing of religion and politics, and accepting human rights". | |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |