English
Cairo: In a major tragedy, a massive fire broke out on Sunday in a Coptic church in Egypt’s capital, Cairo, killing 41 people, reported news agency AFP quoting church officials. The health ministry said at least 55 people were injured.
The blaze started for unknown reasons at the Abu Sifine church in the Egyptian capital’s working-class district of Imbaba, officials said. The fire broke out as 5000 worshippers gathered for Sunday mass at the church, AFP report added. An initial investigation pointed to an electrical short-circuit, according to a police statement.
The Coptic Church reported the casualty toll, citing health officials. It said the fire broke out while a service was underway on Sunday morning. Fifteen firefighting vehicles were dispatched to the scene to put out the flames while ambulances ferried the casualties to nearby hospitals.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi spoke by phone with the Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II to offer his condolences, the president’s office said. I am closely following the developments of the tragic accident, el-Sissi wrote on Facebook. I directed all concerned state agencies and institutions to take all necessary measures, and immediately to deal with this accident and its effects.
Egypt’s Christians account for some 10% of the nation’s 90 million people and have long complained of discrimination by the nation’s Muslim majority.
(With inputs from AP, AFP)
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