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Investigators in front of the damaged facade of the National Cancer Institute in Cairo after the explosion, August 5, 2019. REUTERS / Amr Abdallah Dalsh

At least 20 people were killed and about 50 wounded in the explosion, on Sunday night in Cairo, of a car loaded with explosives that struck vehicles. The Egyptian president speaks of a " terrorist " act.

The Egyptian authorities first explained that the explosion was the result of a traffic accident. A car traveling at high speed in the opposite direction to the National Cancer Institute on the Nile ledge hit three cars at dawn. The shock then caused a huge explosion.

But the Interior Ministry said in the day that the damaged car was carrying explosives and was to be used for a " terrorist operation " prepared by the armed group Hasm, considered by the authorities as close to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Abdel Fattah al-Sissi presented on social networks his condolences " to the Egyptian people and families of martyrs killed in the cowardly incident of terrorist origin ".

According to the Ministry of Health, the explosion killed 20 people and left 50 wounded. Khaled Megahed, a Ministry of Health official, told a news conference that " three or four wounded are in critical condition in the intensive care unit with several burns. "

Social networks have published images of burnt cars and evacuees to hospitals. The Attorney General ordered an investigation.

Last May, twelve suspected members of the armed group Hasm, who appeared in 2016, were killed by Egyptian security forces in the aftermath of an improvised explosive device attack on a tourist bus that injured 12 people in the area. Pyramids of Giza.

(With agencies)