Egypt Police Foil Suicide Attack at Luxor Temple

A suicide bombing targeting tourists was stopped by police in the Egyptian city of Luxor on Wednesday morning. Two of the offenders died and another was seriously wounded, but the police were able to prevent what they said could have been a “massacre.”

A taxi entering the parking lot for the Karnak temple ruins was stopped and searched by police. After two suspicious bags were found, one of the men left the taxi and detonated his explosives-rigged vest.

A shootout between the police and two other men caused the death of one and wounding of the other. The Karnak temple in Luxor is a major tourist destination in a country that relies on tourism for over a 10th of its economy.

Even a foiled terrorist attack such as this one could have a dramatic effect on Egypt’s economy and even the stability of its government. Jihadist attacks on the country have escalated since the Army overthrew the government two years ago.