A bomb exploded today near the Grand Egyptian Museum in Egypt, injuring a number of people on a tour bus. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, caused by a device planted close to the museum’s fence. Among those injured were a number of South Africans; of the 28 passengers, several people were injured and three were taken to a local hospital.
Egyptian Minister of Tourism Rania Al Mashat announced the explosion on Twitter:
Today an incident took place in Giza involving a bus and a minor explosion. Of the 28 passengers on the bus we can confirm some minor injuries with three being treated at the hospital as a precaution. All of those involved are being fully supported in their onward travels. #Egypt
— Rania A. Al Mashat (@RaniaAlMashat) May 19, 2019
The South African Embassy said in a statement that the South African ambassador in Egypt informed the government that the explosion may have hurt South African citizens and activated their 24-hour operational center to provide a 24-hour call center for people to reach out about missing loved ones.
[STATEMENT]: The bus explosion in Egypt. pic.twitter.com/N2gGDb8ygO
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) May 19, 2019
According to eyewitnesses the bus was hit but “didn’t look like it exploded,” according to a report to CNN.
In December 2018, four people were killed by a roadside bomb that blew up a tourist bus, injuring 11.
https://www.hstoday.us/industry/daily-news-analysis/114-killed-two-terror-attacks-kabul/