Screen grab from footage aired by Al Jazeera TV.
On August 14, dozens of people were killed when a fire broke out at a Coptic Orthodox church in the Egyptian city of Giza.
The fire reportedly emanated from the fourth floor of the al-Munira church and quickly spread to the other levels, leaving some 5,000 people who were gathered to attend the Sunday Mass choking on smoke.
The Health Ministry said that at least 55 people were hospitalized as a result of the fire, 41 of whom lost their lives. A spokesman for al-Munira church revealed that priest Abdul Masih Najib was among those who were killed in the accident.
Two security sources told the Reuters news agency that the fire blocked an entrance to the church, causing a stampede. According to the sources, most of the victims were children.
“I am closely following the developments of the tragic accident in al-Munira Church in Giza Governorate, and I have directed all relevant state agencies and institutions to take all necessary measures, immediately,” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Twitter. “I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the innocent victims that have passed on to be with their lord in one of his houses of worship.”
An initial investigation by the Ministry of Interior said that the fire was caused by an electric failure in one of the church’s air conditioners. The Public Prosecution have reportedly launched an investigation into the deadly fire and assembled a large team to lead it.
Giza, Egypt’s second largest city, lies just across the Nile from the capital, Cairo. The city is a home to a fairly large Coptic community.
- BRICS Expanding: Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt Willing To Join The Group
- Sinai Insurgency: ISIS IEDs Kill Five Including Egyptian Army Officer
No news from Ukraine! Apparently, things are not going well.
Probably got bored of writing how Russia and her allies have confiscated or destroyed NATO weapons everyday
COPTIC KATOLICS DUMBASS,YOU SATANIC CULTED LIARS ARE GOING DOWN FEKN MI6 POOFTA!