The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-23

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] 83 Dead - 200 Injured Deadly Explosions in Egypt

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, REUTERS, AFP

A series of explosions rocked the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in the early hours of the morning. At least 83 people were killed and another 200 were injured, as per the countrys Health Minister Mohammed Tag Eddin, while he predicted that the death toll is expected to increase. Twenty-eight foreign tourist are among the wounded including 13 Italians, 5 Britons, 3 Spaniards, 3 Saudi Arabians, 1 Ukrainian, 1 Russian, 1 Turk and 1 Israeli. The group "Abdullah Azzam Brigades, al-Qaida, in Syria and Egypt" claimed responsibility for the attacks with an announcement posted on the Internet. The countrys Foreign Ministry announced that many British citizens are among the dead, but has not disclosed the exact number. According to witnesses, the situation in chaotic, while many of the wounded are in critical condition. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan voiced his anguish and despair. The Greek Government condemned the terrorist attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh and noted that there are no Greek citizens among the dead or injured. The Greek Foreign Ministry, embassy and consulate in Cairo are in constant contact with the Egyptian Government, as well as the travel agencies that organise trips to the area.

Condemning the Attacks

Egyptian Interior Minister Habib el-Adli stressed that the culprits of the attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh are probably linked to the ones who were responsible for the terrorist attacks in Taba, Sinai, last October, when 34 people were killed. The Minister said that they had clues at hand which could lead the security services to the culprits, while he added that the clues indicated that todays attacks are linked to those in Taba.

In an announcement, the Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the terrorist attacks and voiced the hope that the terrorists would be found and punished.

On its part, Israel condemned the attacks, describing them as inhumane actions, while it offered Egypt its assistance, in the context of the peace agreement, which has been in force since 1979. At least one Israeli was injured in these attacks. Another 10,000 Israeli tourists are holidaying in the Egyptian resort at the moment. Israelis continue spending their holidays at the Red Sea resorts, despite the repeated warnings issued by the Israeli Government concerning their safety.

The leader of the Palestinian negotiators, Saeb Erekat noted, "We are condemning the attacks and conveying our condolences to the Government and the Egyptian people, as well as our wishes for the quick recovery of those injured."

The German Foreign Minister announced that a 4-member delegation from their embassy in Cairo was sent to Sharm el-Sheikh to assist any Germans who may have fallen victims to the attack. Up until now, no Germans are among the dead.

The Chronicle of the Attacks

A strong explosion rocked the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, followed by two blasts in the Naama Bay area

The first explosion was recorded a little after 1am, when a bomber rammed his car into Ghazala Gardens Hotel, while the blast was heard one kilometre away. A member of the security staff tried to stop him but he sped towards the reception and there was a huge explosion. Parts of the front walls of the hotel collapsed, trapping people under the rubble. Fifteen minutes later, a bomb went off in a car park near the Moevenpick Hotel and popular nightlife spots, just a few hundred metres away from the first one, causing widespread damage and casualties. The third blast took place in the Old Market area, about four kilometres away. The third bomb is believed to have been hidden in a sack.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] No Victims Tokyo: Quake Strikes Again

By Anna Kourti

A moderate earthquake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, was recorded on Saturday morning in the wider Tokyo area, as per the Kyodo news agency. Tokyos Narita airport was shut down after the earthquake, but later re-opened after an inspection of the runways showed no damage. The epicentre was located in the Chiba prefecture, west of the capital. The tremor was felt in Tokyo; however, there have been no resorts yet on any damages or victims.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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