EXPLOSIONS IN ALGIERS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29764, 6 March 1962, Page 13

EXPLOSIONS IN ALGIERS

Heaviest Series Of Blasts Yet (M2. Press Assn.—Copyright) ALGIERS, March 5. The heaviest. series of explosions yet heard in Algiers began shaking the city shortly after 4 a.m. today. At the same time automatic arms firing was heard in the big Government Place area, in the Gasbah and in other sections of the city, reported the British United Press. More than two hours later the explosions were still booming out in the city, reaching the rhythm at times of an aerial bombardment. Numerous fires were started.

Shortly before 6 a.m., more than 80 explosions had been heard. Early reports indicated most of them were in the Moslem sectors of the city. At least two cars were boobytrapped and blown to pieces on the edge of the Casbah. The main centres of the explosions appeared to be in the heights overlooking the city ..nd in the lower quarters near the waterfront. Some of he blasts sounded like bazooka rocket explosions. Security forces enforced a strict curfew on various areas, particularly in the teeming Bab-el-Oued area and the Casbah. Fire engines and ambulances raced through the city, their sirens adding to the din and flashes of explosions and sporadic small-arms fire. Early reports said numerous stores had been destroyed either by explosions or fire.

Flashes at explosions and the glare of fire lit the horizon. One blast smashed a store near the Hotel Aletti, where many foreign newspaper correspondents live. As the explosions awakened the people of Algiers they crowded their balconies trying to get a view of what was going on. Many rushed into the streets clad only in pyjamas to try to find' out what was taking place. Utility vehicles full of soldiers rushed through the city to various control points. At 6.15 am. the chain of explosions seemed to have stopped. Twenty-two persons were killed and 56 others wounded in terrorist attacks in Algeria yesterday, bringing the year's toll to 1388 dead and 3348 wounded, said the British United Press. According to Reuter, at

least 105 persons—about two-thirds of them Moslems —were killed and more than 170 wounded in knife, gun and bomb attacks throughout Algeria between Friday morning and late last night. Later police reports said there had been 130 explosions in the two hours, Reuter said. Scores of shops and homes were blasted but no Government buildings were apparently attacked, B.U.P. said. Almost every quarter of the city had been hit. A police communique indicated casualties were light, but damage to Moslem-owned property was very heavy, Reuter said. Three teams of bomb terrorists had been arrested, including 13 Frenchmen, the British United Press said.