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Dozens killed in Algeria bombings Dozens killed in Algeria bombings
(40 minutes later)
At least 47 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said.At least 47 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said.
The first explosion is reported to have happened in the Ben Aknoun district, near the supreme constitutional court.The first explosion is reported to have 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 part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped.A UN worker caught up in the Hydra attack told the BBC that part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped.
Dozens were wounded in the blasts, officials say.Dozens were wounded in the blasts, officials say.
College bus hit 'Suicide bomber'
The UN confirmed that its offices had been hit, saying that some of its staff had been injured. Sophie Haspeslagh, who works for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), told the BBC that she was in a corridor when the blast occurred.
"There was some damage to the UNHCR building," Ron Redmond, chief spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said, adding that staff were conducting a head count to see if anyone is missing. "Everything shattered. Everything fell. I hid under a piece of furniture so I wouldn't be hit by the debris," she said.
Witness: 'Everything fell'In pictures: Algiers blasts In the other attack, near the constitutional court, a group of students travelling on a college bus were among the casualties, local media reports. Witness: 'Everything fell'In pictures: Algiers blasts
"I was holding my jacket on my face because I couldn't breathe."
In the other attack, near the constitutional court, a group of students travelling on a college bus were among the casualties, local media reports.
Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the UN one was triggered by a suicide bomber.Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs, and that the UN one was triggered by a suicide bomber.
"The death toll is very high," Mr Zerhouni said of the attacks without giving a precise figure. "The death toll is very high," Mr Zerhouni said after the attacks, without giving a precise figure.
Ms Haspeslagh said that one of her colleagues, who works in the UNHCR building across the street from the UNDP office, said he saw a white van drive into the main UN offices, then explode.
There has been no immediate claim of responsibility.There has been no immediate 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 bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in 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 bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in 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 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 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.
The BBC's 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.The BBC's 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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