14 dead after explosion in central Morocco

14 dead after explosion in central Morocco

2011-04-28 20:57:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO (BNO NEWS) -- At least 14 people on Thursday were killed and 20 more injured after an explosion rocked a café in central Morocco, the state-run MAP news agency reported.

The incident took place at café Argana which is located in Jamaa Lafna square in Marrakech city, one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Northern African country.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry released a statement indicating that most of the casualties are foreign tourists but their nationalities have not been disclosed. In addition, café employees were injured as well.

Emergency teams were quickly deployed to the area. An investigation was opened and initially it was believed that the blast was caused by gas leak. However, the Interior Ministry later informed that preliminary reports indicate that it was a terrorist attack.

The suspected terror attack came after months of anti-government demonstrations across Morocco similar to the unrest in other Arab countries. In response, King Mohammed VI announced a constitutional reform.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-28