EGYPT: JAPANESE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED IN LUXOR VISIT SITE
(20 Nov 1997) Natural Sound The Japanese families of those killed in the Luxor massacre visited the site of Monday's attack. The group of about 25 people laid wreaths on Thursday at the steps of the Temple of Hatshepsut where their loved ones were killed. It was a long walk steeped in grief for the Japanese families of those who died in the Luxor massacre. Clutching flowers, and incense, they made their way to the steps of the Temple of Hatshepsut to pay their last respects. Some cried, others prayed... It's been a traumatic day for them all - first the exhausting flight from Tokyo then a trip to the morgue to identify the bodies. For some there was extra poignancy - of the ten Japanese who were killed, seven were newlyweds. A leading armed Islamic group claiming responsibility for the massacre has said the attack was apparently a failed attempt to take hostages to trade for the freedom of a militant Muslim spiritual leader. The outlawed al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, or Islamic Group, said it was seeking the release of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman. He's imprisoned in the U-S for his role in a failed plot to blow up the United Nations building and other New York landmarks. The Islamic Group said the gunmen's hostage attack at the temple went awry because police opened fire too quickly, forcing militants to return fire. However witnesses say six gunmen opened fire as soon as they entered the temple grounds and even stabbed some of the injured as they lay on the ground. Egyptian authorities say the gunmen were all killed by police. The Japanese government has condemned the attack while family and friends of the victims remain in a state of shock. Japan's largest tour operator, Japan Travel Bureau, has cancelled visits to Luxor and is considering halting other tours to Egypt. Aftermath of attack on tourists, with tourists arriving and refusing to get off of buses, and relatives arriving to claim bodies. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
