A Saudi official source on Sunday denied that security authorities defused bombs planted in Al-Mahmal mall, Jiddah, stressing that the authorities found only plastic sticks with no explosive devices.
In a statement issued to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the source said that the security officials of the mall on Saturday morning noticed three devices, which looked like explosives, affixed to the walls of the mall near the car parks for the 4th, 5th and the 6th floors.
The security bodies examined the devices, which happened to be plastic sticks, half an inch in length, similar to those used for electricity wires.
“An unknown person had cut the sticks to a length of approximately 20 centimetres, tied them together in groups of four with tape, closed the opening with clay, and fixed them to electricity wires so that they appeared to be explosives. However, examination proved that they are only plastic sticks containing no explosive materials,” the source said. He added that an investigation is currently underway into the incident, in order to find those responsible.
The source called on the mass media to ensure the veracity of reports prior to publication, in order to avert unnecessary concerns and provocation.
Source: SPA
