Algeria searches for more bodies

ALGIERS – Emergency workers searched for bodies and survivors yesterday after twin truck bombings by an affiliate of al Qaeda targeted UN offices and a government building in Algiers, killing at least 30 people.

Some estimates of the final death toll climbed well above the official Algerian government figures. Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said on France’s Europe-1 radio yesterday morning that the official death toll was 30, up from 26 on Tuesday night, after emergency workers spent the night hunting for victims beneath the remains of gutted buildings.As many as 11 UN workers, possible more, were killed, UN officials said.The targeting of United Nations offices was a new development in Algeria’s 15-year battle against Islamic insurgents, who previously focused on symbols of Algeria’s military-backed government and civilians.UN officials in Geneva said it was the worst single attack against United Nations staff and facilities since August 2003, when the global body’s headquarters in Baghdad were hit by a truck laden with explosives.That attack killed 22 people, including the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and was blamed on al Qaeda fighters in Iraq.After Tuesday’s attack in Algiers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate review of UN security in Algeria and elsewhere.The sites of the blasts were cordoned off yesterday by police, as emergency workers continued searching for victims or survivors and maintenance workers swept up soot and cleared out rubble.Nampa-APAlgerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said on France’s Europe-1 radio yesterday morning that the official death toll was 30, up from 26 on Tuesday night, after emergency workers spent the night hunting for victims beneath the remains of gutted buildings.As many as 11 UN workers, possible more, were killed, UN officials said.The targeting of United Nations offices was a new development in Algeria’s 15-year battle against Islamic insurgents, who previously focused on symbols of Algeria’s military-backed government and civilians.UN officials in Geneva said it was the worst single attack against United Nations staff and facilities since August 2003, when the global body’s headquarters in Baghdad were hit by a truck laden with explosives.That attack killed 22 people, including the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and was blamed on al Qaeda fighters in Iraq.After Tuesday’s attack in Algiers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate review of UN security in Algeria and elsewhere.The sites of the blasts were cordoned off yesterday by police, as emergency workers continued searching for victims or survivors and maintenance workers swept up soot and cleared out rubble.Nampa-AP