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Egypt explosion hits Italian consulate in Cairo | Egypt explosion hits Italian consulate in Cairo |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A large explosion has severely damaged the Italian consulate in Egypt's capital, Cairo. | A large explosion has severely damaged the Italian consulate in Egypt's capital, Cairo. |
The health ministry says at least one person has died. Four people were also injured, medical sources said. | The health ministry says at least one person has died. Four people were also injured, medical sources said. |
The blast was caused by a car bomb, an official told the state-run news agency Mena. No group has yet said it carried out the attack. | The blast was caused by a car bomb, an official told the state-run news agency Mena. No group has yet said it carried out the attack. |
The consulate was closed and no civilian staff members are among the injured, an official told AP. | |
The main entrance of the building was almost totally destroyed, windows were shattered and the building was flooded after water-pipes ruptured. | |
Had it been a working day, the casualty numbers could have been much higher, says the BBC's Sally Nabil in Cairo. | |
The attack raises questions about the security forces' ability to secure foreign diplomatic missions in the country, our correspondent adds. | |
Egypt's public prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was killed last month by a car bomb attack in the city. | Egypt's public prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was killed last month by a car bomb attack in the city. |
In the same month, another car bomb targeting a police station left three people dead. | In the same month, another car bomb targeting a police station left three people dead. |
Egyptian security forces have been battling Islamic militants, but the fighting has been mostly confined to the Sinai Peninsula. | Egyptian security forces have been battling Islamic militants, but the fighting has been mostly confined to the Sinai Peninsula. |
Militants in Egypt have killed at least 600 police and armed forces personnel in the past two years. | Militants in Egypt have killed at least 600 police and armed forces personnel in the past two years. |
The militants stepped up their attacks after the military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. | The militants stepped up their attacks after the military overthrew Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. |
In recent weeks, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has promised to crack down further on Islamist militants. | In recent weeks, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has promised to crack down further on Islamist militants. |
Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood members, including ousted President Mohammed Morsi, have been sentenced to death by Egypt's courts. | Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood members, including ousted President Mohammed Morsi, have been sentenced to death by Egypt's courts. |
The majority remain on death row awaiting execution. | The majority remain on death row awaiting execution. |
Are you in Cairo, did you witness the bomb blast? If you are in a safe place, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. | Are you in Cairo, did you witness the bomb blast? If you are in a safe place, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |