At least 65 killed in Egypt bombings

Suicide car bombers unleashed a trail of carnage in Egypt's tourist-packed Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh today, killing at least 65 people including foreigners.

The attacks on the popular Sinai resort at the peak of the tourist season were the deadliest in Egypt in eight years and drew swift condemnation from several governments.

At least three bomb blasts rocked the town in quick succession shortly after 1:00 am (0300). In the most devastating of the strikes, a suicide bomber rammed his car into the Ghazala Garden hotel in the glitzy Naama Bay tourist strip.

"A suicide car bomber forced the barrier at the entrance of the hotel. A member of the security staff tried to stop him, but he sped towards the reception and there was a huge explosion," a hotel employee said.

Medical sources said the death toll had risen to 65 after health minister Mohammed Awad Tajeddin gave a figure of 62. Scores more were wounded.

An al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for the bombings.

The group, calling itself the al-qaeda organisation in the Levant and Egypt, made the claim in a statement posted on an Islamic website. Its authenticity could not be verified.