Egyptian Officials Unhurt by Missile From War Games
Egyptian Prime Minister Ali Lutfi and Defense Minister Abdel-Halim abu Ghazala escaped injury Tuesday when a stray missile from a jet fighter taking part in Egyptian military maneuvers exploded near them, witnesses said.
The missile, fired from a Soviet-made MIG-21, exploded about 10 yards from the reviewing stand, spraying stones, shrapnel and dust over hundreds of guests, they said.
The guests included visiting U.S. military officers as well as Egyptian Cabinet ministers, army officers and foreign military attaches based in Cairo.
“We heard a very loud boom, and stones rained all around. Everyone ducked instinctively,” one witness said.
Security sources said one Egyptian officer among the spectators was taken to a hospital by helicopter with leg injuries. The pilot of the MIG-21 was being questioned, military sources said.
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