Explosions hit three hotels in the Jordanian capital Wednesday night, and at least 53 people were killed and scores were wounded. Public Security Department Information officer, Major Bashir al-Da'ajah, stated "most probably" the explosions were suicide bombings.
The first explosion shook the Grand Hyatt hotel at 20:50. A police official was quoted as saying by the AP, that some people had been killed, "and there are many wounded." At least 10 people were killed in the bombing, security sources told AFP. A black cloud of smoke was seen rising from the building in the commercial Jebel Amman district following the blast. Grand Hyatt Amman is a popular hotel with visiting businesspersons.
A second huge blast rocked the Radisson hotel in the city, not far from Grand Hyatt. Reports said at least eight people were killed. The explosion took place at a wedding hall where at least 300 people were celebrating. The 13-story Radisson SAS Hotel Amman is located in the heart of the diplomatic and ministry district of the Jordanian capital.
Another explosion was reported at the Days Inn Hotel, and police said there were casualties.
Security sources told Aljazeera TV that at least 53 people were killed in the blasts.
King Abdullah II has condemned the "terrorist attacks" in Amman. In a Royal Court Statement issued Wednesday night, the King described the terrorist blasts targeting three hotels in Amman as "criminal acts perpetrated by a misled and misleading group." The King affirmed such terrorist operations "would not dissuade Jordan from pursuing its role in fighting terrorism and the criminal terrorist groups and those who are behind them and justify their acts."
The criminals who, with their cowardly acts, have targeted innocent and secure civilians will be brought to justice, the Jordanian monarch noted. Jordan will remain a secure and stable country and these terrorist operations can never represent the Jordanian values, he said, according to Petra.
