Jerusalem: At least 31 people, mostly Israeli tourists, were killed and more than 120 injured when a string of explosions ripped through a five-star hotel and a resort packed with holidaymakers in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula late last night (Oct 7, 2004), which Israel suspected to be the handiwork of al-Qaeda.

Two bombs exploded one after another at the luxury Hilton Hotel in the Egyptian resort town of Taba, a favourite holiday destination for Israelis bordering the Jewish State, followed by two more blasts in two other resorts.

Twenty nine bodies have been recovered from the hotel, situated between the shores of the Red Sea and the mountains of Sinai peninsula, where people were vacationing at the close of a Jewish holiday, Israel Defence Forces Home Front Commander Major General Yair Nave said.

However, the toll is expected to rise as more than 38 people are still missing after the devastating twin blasts.

According to sources, a car laden with explosives crashed into the lobby of the hotel and exploded, bringing down the 10-storey structure, while a suicide bomber blew himself up seconds later near the hotel swimming pool.

Two other blasts also occurred about two hours later in nearby resort towns of Ras Shitan and Nueiba, killing at least two people, they said.

Major General Nave said among the 31 dead 23 were Israelis.

Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Zeev Boim was quoted as saying, "According to our first information, it appears to be an international terror attack with the hallmarks of al-Qaeda."