Several wounded in blast in Morocco's Marrakesh

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - A blast hurt several people in a cafe in the southern Moroccan city of Marrakesh on Thursday, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.

An official source said the blast appeared to have been caused by gas canisters catching fire inside the cafe, in the main Jamaa el-Fna square.

The Reuters photographer said rescue services were pulling casualties from the cafe.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/28/uk-morocco-blast-idUKTRE73R2VP20110428

[Bosonic]

1. Explosion hits popular cafe in Morocco, killing 14

RABAT, Morocco — An explosion in a cafe popular with tourists in Marrakech has killed 14 people and injured 20, including foreigners, Morocco's Interior Ministry said.

The explosion happened Thursday at the Argana cafe, on the famed Djemaa el-Fna square in the center of Marrakech.

A ministry statement said that it appeared to be a "criminal act," reported state news agency MAP. The agency also said foreigners were among the casualties, according to Reuters.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42797238/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[Lucky Luciano]

2. I was at that cafe in early November.

Morocco is interesting. Marrakesch and Fes have a very interesting history and the old town medinas and souks are amazing to see. The problem is the severity of the hassle you have to deal with from the (I hate to say it this way, but the shoe fits) incredibly uncivilized locals. In fact, I heard it used to be worse. It was so bad in the past that a local can be arrested and put in jail for hassling a tourist to offer their "guide services" without a license. I have been to a lot of third world countries, so I am use to some hassling, but Morocco is really ridiculous.

I am not surprised by this nasty act. There are definitely some unpleasant people there. I don't blame Islam as some might. I blame unemployment for the unpleasantness of the locals. As a caveat, those who took care of us in the hotels and restaurants were decent folks - but clearly they were being paid to be decent.

[dipsydoodle]

3. killed at least 14 people and injured 20

A bomb attack in the main square in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh has killed at least 14 people and injured 20, some of them foreigners, officials say.

The explosion ripped through the Argana cafe in Djemaa el-Fna square, a popular tourist destination.

The interior ministry said evidence now pointed to a bomb attack after initial reports suggested a gas explosion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13226117

[closeupready]

4. I've actually been to that cafe - sad to see that Morocco isn't immune, but then again,

neither is the US or France or the UK. Nowhere is, really. K&R

On a side note, NO, this would not make me NOT go again. I love it there, esp. Marrakech.