Car bomb hits Doha theatre
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By Paul Cowan, Managing Editor Gulf Times Newspaper A CAR BOMB that exploded beside Doha Players Theatre while a performance was in progress killed one person and slightly wounded 12 others, an official source at the Interior Ministry told Qatar News Agency (QNA) early today. Ten of the wounded had already left the hospital, the source said, adding that an investigation is under way. Police and firemen had moved in quickly to secure the scene, opposite the Doha English Speaking School (DESS). The explosion, around 9pm, blew out the windows in staff accommodation in the DESS and was heard over much of Doha. Some of the injuries were reportedly caused by flying glass.
Minister of State for the Interior, HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, visited the scene accompanied by other senior officials. The blast happened after the audience had returned to the main theatre building following the intermission in an amateur performance of Shakespeare�s Twelfth Night. The team in the box controlling the lighting for the play were understood to have been hurt by flying glass, as the box was relatively unprotected from the blast. The explosion completely demolished the West End hall of the theatre and the ensuing fire reduced it to ashes. However, a witness said all the members of the audience � being estimated last night at around 100 � were able to escape quickly from the auditorium. Witnesses said there would have been carnage if the blast had happened a little earlier when the West End, which was used as a coffee bar during intermissions, was teeming with theatregoers. The previous night�s performance had a slightly earlier intermission time. One long-time expat, expressing dismay over the casualties, remarked: �This is going to change expat life in Doha forever. Of course, Doha Players is finished. Nobody will ever go back there.� The theatre, which was built in 1979, was the pride of the Western expatriate community for many years. Doha Players was the first amateur dramatics group in the Gulf to have its own, purpose-built theatre. Since the invasion of Iraq the British government has been warning its citizens in Qatar and other Gulf States to be cautious. The current UK government advice for Qatar states: �There is a high threat from terrorism. On 7 June 2004, an Al Qaeda website publicly threatened to carry out attacks on Westerners in the Gulf States and the Arabian Peninsula, targeting residential compounds, military bases, oil interests and transportation as well as aviation interests.� |
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