Egypt confirmed that the explosion in front of the main cancer hospital is terrorist attack
Member of militant group has been arrested in
connection with blast Cairo, interior minister says.
In front of Egypt’s main cancer hospital set off an
explosion that triggered a fire outside the building, killing a total of 20
people, authorities said Monday.
The explosion also injured 47 others, the health
ministry said. Some of the injured suffered burns and broken bones, it added,
though it wasn’t immediately clear if any of the casualties were inside the
hospital.
The Interior Ministry said a vehicle driving against
the traffic had bombed with up to three other cars late on Sunday, causing the
explosion on the Nile-side street, the city’s famous Corniche. At least 78
patients were evacuated to other hospitals while the fire was later brought
under control.
The blast damaged the cancer hospital’s main gate
and several patient rooms and wards, according to a statement from the Cairo
University. Its Medical School uses the institute as an educational facility.
Television stations broadcast footage of shattered windows
and doors on Monday morning. The health ministry did not say if any hospital
patients or staff were among the casualties.
