RABAT – A powerful blast ripped through a cafe in the Moroccan city of
Marrakesh on Thursday, killing 11 foreigners and three Moroccans, authorities
said in what they described as a "criminal act".
"We cannot at this stage determine the exact identity of all the victims," said a medical source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, after the explosion in the Argana cafe in the central square of Marrakesh, a favourite spot for foreign visitors.
"Five women are among the 11 dead foreigners," the source added.
Earlier another official said that, in addition to the 14 fatalities, 20 people were injured in the blast which he described as "criminal" in nature.
Authorities said an investigation was under way to shed more light on the explosion which occurred on Jamaa El Fna Square in the central Moroccan city.
Latifa Idrissi, whose husband Yassine Bouzidi, 28, was one of the victims, said the blast occurred on the cafe's terrace and badly injured the manager.
Moroccan officials contacted by AFP confirmed the blast was "criminal" but would not say whether it was a terrorist act.
"Preliminary indications seem to indicate that, contrary to what was reported earlier, it was not an explosion of gas canisters," one official said.
The French embassy here meanwhile said it did not know whether French nationals were among the casualties but added that it was in touch with Moroccan authorities to find out. AFP
"We cannot at this stage determine the exact identity of all the victims," said a medical source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, after the explosion in the Argana cafe in the central square of Marrakesh, a favourite spot for foreign visitors.
"Five women are among the 11 dead foreigners," the source added.
Earlier another official said that, in addition to the 14 fatalities, 20 people were injured in the blast which he described as "criminal" in nature.
Authorities said an investigation was under way to shed more light on the explosion which occurred on Jamaa El Fna Square in the central Moroccan city.
Latifa Idrissi, whose husband Yassine Bouzidi, 28, was one of the victims, said the blast occurred on the cafe's terrace and badly injured the manager.
Moroccan officials contacted by AFP confirmed the blast was "criminal" but would not say whether it was a terrorist act.
"Preliminary indications seem to indicate that, contrary to what was reported earlier, it was not an explosion of gas canisters," one official said.
The French embassy here meanwhile said it did not know whether French nationals were among the casualties but added that it was in touch with Moroccan authorities to find out. AFP
