In pictures: Amman hotel blasts

last SG · 2005-11-11T23:27:18+00:00

Canadian Press - Mon Nov 14, 5:46 PM ET Iraqi Sajida Mubarek Atrous al-Rishawi. (AP/Jordanian TV)

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Bomb attacks on three hotels in Jordan's capital, Amman, have left at least 57 people dead and shocked the nation.

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The blasts went off almost simultaneously at the Grand Hyatt, Radisson and Days Inn hotels, all popular with Westerners.

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At least 300 people were injured in the explosions, most of them Jordanians.

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The Radisson blast ripped through a banqueting room where about 250 people were attending a wedding reception.

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The bride and groom each lost a parent and were themselves injured, as were many of their guests.

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Witnesses spoke of bloodshed and confusion as they helped transport the injured to nearby hospitals.

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Forensic experts quickly began sifting through the bomb debris to gather evidence.

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Security has been tightened around Amman and Jordan's land borders have been closed.

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Jordan's King Abdullah II has visited the Hyatt hotel and spoken to victims in hospital.

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Some Jordanians have held marches to condemn the attacks, which have been claimed by the al-Qaeda network.

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this sickening terrorists will not spare anyone.

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AP - Thu Nov 10, 9:28 AM ET
A Jordanian police man stands guard under the wrecked, bomb damaged wedding hall at the Radisson hotel in Amman, Jordan, Thursday Nov. 10, 2005. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations. The Radisson is one of three Jordanian hotels attacked on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

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AP - Thu Nov 10,10:59 AM ET
Ashraf al-Akhras and his bride Nadia Alami, center, are welcomed by their relatives during their wedding ceremony at the Radisson SAS hotel in Amman, Jordan, prior a suicide bombing attack, in this picture taken late Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. The groom, Ashraf al-Akhras, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to an Amman hospital. The bride, Nadia Alami, escaped injury. But the newlyweds both lost their fathers. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations.(AP Photo/HO)

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AP - Thu Nov 10,11:09 AM ET
Ashraf al-Akhras and his bride Nadia Alami posing to the camera during their wedding ceremony before a suicide bomber attacked their party wedding at the Radisson SAS hotel in Amman, Jordan, in this picture taken late Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. The groom, Ashraf al-Akhras, suffered serious injuries and was rushed to an Amman hospital. The bride, Nadia Alami, escaped injury. But the newlyweds both lost their fathers. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations.(AP Photo/HO)

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AP - Thu Nov 10,11:12 AM ET
A Jordanian police man pushes back photographers from the damaged lobby of the Grand Hyatt hotel in Amman, Jordan, Thursday Nov. 10, 2005. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations. The Grand Hyatt hotel is one of three hotels attacked by suspected suicide bombers on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

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AP - Thu Nov 10,11:14 AM ET
British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, left, speaks to reporters beside his Jordanian counterpart Farouk Kasrawi, right, in front the Grand Hyatt hotel in Amman, Jordan, Thursday Nov. 10, 2005. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations. The Grand Hyatt hotel is one of three hotels attacked by suspected suicide bombers on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

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AP - Thu Nov 10,11:22 AM ET
Jordanian workers hang a giant Jordanian flag on the Grand Hayat hotel in Amman, Jordan Thursday Nov. 10, 2005 following three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels on Wednesday night. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil).

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Reuters - Thu Nov 10,11:25 AM ET
Jordanians chant slogans against the al-Qaeda group during a demonstration outside Radisson hotel in Amman November 10,2005. The Qaeda group led by America's deadliest foe in Iraq on Thursday claimed responsibility for three suicide bombings that ripped through luxury hotels in Jordan's capital and killed 56 people. In Wednesday night's near-simultaneous attacks, two suicide bombers turned crowded wedding parties into scenes of blood and panic at the Grand Hyatt and the nearby Radisson SAS in central Amman. A third attacker targeted a Days Inn hotel. REUTERS/ Ammar Awad

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AP - Thu Nov 10,11:27 AM ET
A Jordanian woman with her face painted in the colours of the Jordanian flag colors holds a protest placard Thursday Nov. 10, 2005 in front of the Grand Hayat hotel in Amman, Jordan where one of the three bombings took place Wednesday night. Al-Qaida issued an Internet claim of responsibility Thursday for three suicide bomb attacks on Western hotels that killed at least 56 people, linking the deadly blasts to the war in Iraq and calling Amman the 'backyard garden' for U.S. operations. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil).

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Reuters - Thu Nov 10,11:27 AM ET
Jordanians chant slogans against the al Qaeda group during a demonstration outside the Radisson hotel in Amman November 10, 2005. The Qaeda group led by America's deadliest foe in Iraq on Thursday claimed responsibility for three suicide bombings that ripped through luxury hotels in Jordan's capital and killed 56 people. In Wednesday night's near-simultaneous attacks, two suicide bombers turned crowded wedding parties into scenes of blood and panic at the Grand Hyatt and the nearby Radisson SAS in central Amman. A third attacked targeted a Days Inn hotel. REUTERS/ Ammar Awad