(AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
By Adham Youssef
Minor improvised explosive devices went off early Wednesday morning in five of Cairo’s underground metro stations. The Ministry of Interior stated that the explosions took place in Shubra Al-Kheima, Ghamra, Hadayek Al-Qoba, and Ezbet el Nakhel stations.
According the Ministry of Health’s reports, “the explosions left at least six people with minor injuries.”
“In Ghamra, a sonic bomb exploded in a rubbish bin,” said the Ministry of Interior’s media centre, adding that the second blast in Shubra al-Kheima Station was caused by a “home-made bomb containing gunpowder”.
The Ministry of Interior added: “[The bomb] exploded, leaving its carrier injured. The suspect is currently being treated in a hospital, under tight security.”
Security officials claim that the suspect belongs to the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.
Major General Hany Abdel Latif, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, stated: “Upon searching the body of the suspect, we found his personal mobile phone which contained logos and pictures related to the Muslim Brotherhood group, including the Rabaa sign.”
“The attacks are a failed attempt by the terrorist organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood to endanger and threaten the state of national solidarity and stability the country is witnessing,” Abdel Latif said. An hour later, another bomb exploded in Ezbet Al-Nakhel metro station inside a rubbish bin.
All metro trains were brought to a halt for 15 minutes before resuming service, with police units intensifying their search for secondary bombs.
“Explosive experts are combing the area to make sure there aren’t any explosive devices,” the ministry added.
There have been a number of explosions throughout the city including traffic checkpoints, security departments and police stations since the ouster of Mohamed Morsi last July.
In east Cairo, two explosions took place Wednesday morning in front of the Heliopolis court. “Another bomb was placed underneath a car outside the courthouse and defused,” the ministry said.
According to the Ministry of Health, the Heliopolis explosions left three injured. “Two of them were transferred to the Heliopolis Hospital to receive the necessary medical care. The third was treated on scene,” the ministry said.
On Tuesday evening, “a strange device exploded near the 6 of October city, killing a 16 year old worker”, read a statement by the Ministry of Interior.
The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights issued a statement Wednesday condemning the explosions and calling upon the government to arrest whoever is responsible for them.
“What happened is nothing but a terrorist attack that aims at spreading chaos in Egyptian streets”, the statement added.
