Blast hits Italian consulate in Cairo
July 11, 2015
Health Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar told reporters in Cairo that at least one person had been killed in the explosion, which occured at the Italian consulate early Saturday morning (local time). Several other people were reported to have been injured.
Witnesses said the blast caused severe damage to the consulate building, according to the state news agency MENA.
Initial MENA reports indicated that the blast was caused by a car bomb.
According to an "Islamic State" (IS) online statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the car contained 450 kilograms (990 pounds) of explosives. However, the authenticity of the claim signed by "Islamic State Egypt" could not be immediately confirmed.
"We advise Muslims to stay away from these security dens, because they are legitimate targets for strikes of the mujahedeen," the statement said.
Italy 'not intimidated'
A official from the Italian consulate told The Associated Press that no staff members were among the wounded.
The consulate, which is situated in downtown Cairo at one of the capital's busiest intersections, was closed at the time of the explosion.
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on his Twitter account on Saturday that Italy would "not let itself be intimidated" by the attack.
Egypt has seen scores of attacks since the army ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, with militants killing hundreds of police officers and soldiers, mostly in the Sinai Peninsula.
tj/jlw (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)