Car Bombings Kill Up to 18 in Algeria

Two car bombs rocked the Algerian capital Tuesday, killing as many as 18 people and destroying homes and shops in the latest violence blamed on the North African country’s Islamic insurgency.

The explosions, which were four hours apart, thundered across Algiers. Columns of smoke rose high above the city as ambulances and police cars sped toward ruined neighborhoods, sirens blaring.

The blasts came two days after a car bomb in the city center and an attack on a village outside Algiers killed 78 people. Nationwide, the bloodletting has killed more than 120 people in the last two weeks, with blame falling on Islamic militants trying to topple the government and impose strict Islamic law.

The first bomb exploded in the afternoon near a cultural center and an apartment block housing hundreds of people, but the exact target was unclear.

Hospital sources said 16 people died in the first explosion. Rescue workers initially said 11 people died, while security personnel, who often downgrade casualties in such attacks, said five people were killed. The sources all spoke on condition of anonymity.

The second bomb exploded at night near the Martyrs Monument that dominates the Algiers bay.

The second blast killed two people and injured 10, hospital sources said.

Sources close to security forces said two other car bombs were defused Tuesday. The bombings followed the deadly attack Sunday in the city center. Earlier reports had put the death toll in that car bombing at 30, but Algerian press reported Tuesday that 42 had died.