The Hindu : Front Page : 18 killed as blasts rock three Amman hotels

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Thursday, Nov 10, 2005

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18 killed as blasts rock three Amman hotels

More than 100 injured, hotels damaged; Police suspect al-Qaida hand

AMMAN: Explosions rocked three hotels in the Jordanian capital late on Wednesday, killing at least 18 people, injuring more than 120 and sending ambulances screaming across downtown.

``The attacks carry the trademark of al-Qaida,'' one police official said on condition of anonymity in line with police regulations. ``However it is not certain. We are investigating.'' he said

The explosions struck the Grand Hyatt, Radisson SAS and Days Inn hotels. A police officer at the Radisson site said it was caused ``apparently by a bomb.''

The hotels, in the commercial Jebel Amman district, are frequented by American and European businessmen and diplomats. The Radisson, in particular, is popular with Israeli tourists, and was a target of several foiled al-Qaida plots in the past.

Black smoke rose into the night and wounded stumbled out of the hotels. The stone entrance of the Grand Hyatt was completely shattered. An AP reporter saw seven bodies carried out and many more wounded on stretchers.

``It was a miracle that we made it out with a scratch,'' said a British guest at the Grand Hyatt.

The blast ripped through the Radisson during a wedding party with at least 300 guests. At least five people were killed and 20 wounded in that explosion.

``We thought it was fireworks for the wedding but I saw people falling to the ground,'' said Ahmed, a wedding guest who did not give his surname. ``I saw blood. There were people killed. It was ugly.''

Ayman al-Safadi, editor of Jordan's Al-Ghad newspaper, told Al-Arabiya satellite network that it was a ``terrorist operation.'' --AP

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