ALGIERS, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Seven security guards and a soldier were killed late Saturday in two bomb attacks in east Algeria, local El-Watan daily reported.

The report said the attacks, which were an ambush, occurred on a town road in Tifra, near Bejaia, some 250 km east of Algiers.

The first bomb exploded in the path of a van carrying nine security guards, killing seven while two managed to flee. One hour later, the second bomb, which was remotely detonated in the same place, killed a soldier and wounded two others.

The report said local authorities have started a search operation immediately using two helicopters, while the whole region was sealed by the military.

The security guards belong to a private company which provides security service for a Turkish company, according to the report.