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Egypt: Explosives-laden truck behind deadly Mansoura blast

Published December 24th, 2013 - 12:31 GMT
An Egyptian man stands amidst debris car at the site of a powerful car bomb explosion in the Egyptian city of Mansoura, North of Cairo, on December 24, 2013.  (AFP)
An Egyptian man stands amidst debris car at the site of a powerful car bomb explosion in the Egyptian city of Mansoura, North of Cairo, on December 24, 2013. (AFP)

A high-profile Ministry of Interior security source told MENA that primary information indicates a truck containing explosive materials was used in the blast that took place earlier Tuesday in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

The security source said a massive amount of high explosives was used in the incident, pointing out that experts are still examining the site of the blast to determine whether the vehicle had been remotely detonated or exploded through a timer.

About the injuries, a security source said 71 injured – among whom are 56 police officers – are currently being treated at the Mansoura hospital, while the rest have been discharged after obtaining primary medical aid.

The blast killed 13 and injured 134 in what appears to be the worst terrorist attack on a government site since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July.

Eight policemen, a civilian and three unidentified individuals are among the dead, Egypt's Interior Ministry said in a statement.

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