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Dozens killed in Algeria bombings Dozens killed in Algeria bombings
(10 minutes later)
At least 62 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said.At least 62 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said.
The first explosion happened in the Ben Aknoun district, near the supreme constitutional court.The first explosion happened in the Ben Aknoun district, near the supreme constitutional court.
That was followed shortly afterwards by a second blast at the United Nations offices in the Hydra neighbourhood.That was followed shortly afterwards by a second blast at the United Nations offices in the Hydra neighbourhood.
A UN worker caught up in the Hydra attack told the BBC that a large part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped inside.A UN worker caught up in the Hydra attack told the BBC that a large part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped inside.
Map showing bomb blast locations
Dozens were wounded in the explosions, officials said.Dozens were wounded in the explosions, officials said.
I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms - it cannot be justified in any circumstances UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called off a cabinet meeting to visit hospitals where the injured were being treated.
"These are crimes that targeted innocent people. Students and school children were among the victims. Nothing can justify the crime," he said.
The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, also condemned the bombings, saying they were "just unacceptable".
Map showing bomb blast locations
"I would like to condemn it in the strongest terms. It cannot be justified in any circumstances," he told reporters.
Students killedStudents killed
In the attack near the court, a bus packed with university students was passing by the vehicle containing the bomb when it exploded.In the attack near the court, a bus packed with university students was passing by the vehicle containing the bomb when it exploded.
Witness: 'Everything fell'In pictures: Algiers blastsWitness: 'Everything fell'In pictures: Algiers blasts
Security officials said the bus took the full force of the blast and was ripped apart, killing and injuring many of those on board.Security officials said the bus took the full force of the blast and was ripped apart, killing and injuring many of those on board.
At the UN offices in Hydra, it was the UNDP building which bore the brunt of the blast. A residential building and the UNHCR headquarters across the road were also damaged, witnesses said. At the UN offices in Hydra, it was the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building which bore the brunt of the blast. A residential building and the UNHCR headquarters across the road were also damaged, witnesses said.
Sophie Haspeslagh, who works for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told the BBC that she was in a corridor when the blast occurred. Sophie Haspeslagh, who works for the UNDP, told the BBC that she was in a corridor when the blast occurred.
"Everything shattered. Everything fell. I hid under a piece of furniture so I wouldn't be hit by the debris," she said."Everything shattered. Everything fell. I hid under a piece of furniture so I wouldn't be hit by the debris," she said.
"I was holding my jacket on my face because I couldn't breathe.""I was holding my jacket on my face because I couldn't breathe."
'Suicide bomber''Suicide bomber'
Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the one at the UN was triggered by a suicide bomber.Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the one at the UN was triggered by a suicide bomber.
A bus full of university students was ripped apart in the court bombingMs Haspeslagh said one of her colleagues had seen a white van drive into the main UN offices then explode.A bus full of university students was ripped apart in the court bombingMs Haspeslagh said one of her colleagues had seen a white van drive into the main UN offices then explode.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. There has been no claim of responsibility.
Throughout 2007 there have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria in which scores of people have died.Throughout 2007 there have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria in which scores of people have died.
In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast-guard base.In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast-guard base.
Al-Qaeda link?Al-Qaeda link?
Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence.Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence.
VIOLENCE IN 2007 6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, killing nineMay: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militantsApril: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebMarch: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workersFebruary: Seven bombs kill six east of AlgiersVIOLENCE IN 2007 6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, killing nineMay: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militantsApril: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebMarch: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workersFebruary: Seven bombs kill six east of Algiers
Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.
The militant group was previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) but changed its name when it joined forces with al-Qaeda last year.The militant group was previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) but changed its name when it joined forces with al-Qaeda last year.
BBC regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation, and how far it is merely inspired by it.BBC regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation, and how far it is merely inspired by it.
What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks.What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks.
Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined.Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined.
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