 Egyptian security sources say they have identified a man suspected of being one of the bombers who carried out last week's attacks in Sharm al-Sheikh. The security sources said they believed Moussa Badran was the car bomber who destroyed the Ghazala Gardens hotel. It comes as reports suggest that a warning of an imminent attack was received days before the bombings. However, security was increased only around casinos, which police believed were the intended targets.
| They may well have been, until the security was increased... |
The Associated Press news agency reports that the heads of security in North and South Sinai provinces have been sacked after having failed to anticipate or prevent the bombings.
"Mahmoud, you're fired!"
"But boss..."
"Out!" |
At least 64 people were killed when bombs exploded outside two hotels and a market in the resort town. Officials say the figure could be as high as 88. Police have dismissed reports that scientists have succeeded in matching the body to DNA from Moussa Badran's family. A relative of Moussa Badran told AP that he disappeared after deadly attacks at two other Sinai resorts in October, and that some family members were detained afterwards.
| I'd call that a likely connection between the two... |
Police have questioned hundreds of people about the attacks. Sources say another body of a possible bomber from the Ghazala bomb site is being tested and that a third body in the town's old market, the site of the third explosion, is also being examined. Egyptian police have taken DNA samples from four families living in or around the north Sinai town of al-Arish, Reuters news agency reported. Egyptian authorities are continuing to question large numbers of detainees - including some Sinai Bedouin - in relation to the blasts. |
