Germany Condemns Egypt Bomb Attacks
April 25, 2006
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday joined world leaders in condemning the deadly bombings in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Dahab.
"The terrible pictures from Dahab have filled us all with horror and great sadness," Steinmeier said. "The German government condemns to the highest degree these murderous attacks that have killed numerous innocent people and injured many more."
Steinmeier confirmed that a German child was among the victims and said that further German citizens were among the injured.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts in a market and busy restaurant area, which came one day after a new audiotape of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden surfaced accusing the "crusaders" of the West of waging war against Islam.
Tour operators suspend trips
The German-owned TUI, Europe's leading travel and tourism group, said Tuesday that it was suspending all trips and excursions to the Sinai peninsula in the wake of the blasts.
"All excursions scheduled for today (Tuesday) and tomorrow on the Sinai peninsula have been cancelled," TUI said in a statement on its Web site.
The group said that around 200 Germans were currently holidaying with TUI in Dahab.
"The situation among holidaymakers there is calm," the group said. "Up to now, four guests have expressed a wish to terminate their holiday. We will comply with this wish and make appropriate arrangements. Customers who no longer want to spend their holiday on the Sinai peninsula have had their bookings amended at no charge."
Germany's second biggest tour operator Thomas Cook also said that customers who had booked holidays in the region up until May 7 could change their reservations free of charge.