Explosions Rock Egyptian Resort

At least two large explosions rocked the Red Sea tourist resort of Sharm el-Sheik on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula late Friday, and a hotel was heavily damaged, witnesses said.

The explosions could be felt miles from the site and smoke was seen rising from the area, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on casualties.

One blast hit the Ghazala Gardens hotel, a four-star resort on the main tourist strip in the Naama Bay area of Sharm el-Sheik, witnesses said. A second blast was heard in the Old Market, another Sharm neighborhood.

"The hotel was completely burned down, destroyed," said Amal Mustafa, 28, an Egyptian who was visiting with her family and who drove by the Ghazala Gardens.

Khaled Sakran, a resident, said he saw the first blast from the Old Market. "I saw the fire in the sky," he said. "Right after, I saw a light in the sky and heard another explosion, coming from Naama Bay." He said he believed there was also a third explosion.