More than 40 killed in Egypt church blaze

ATLANTIA (Pajhwok): At least 41 people have been killed as a result of a fierce fire in a church in Egypt, say media reports.

The blaze was sparked by an electric fault at the packed church in the working-class district of Greater Cairo, The Guardian reported.

About 5,000 people had gathered at the Coptic Abu Sifin church in Imbaba, Giza, for Sunday morning services, when the fire broke out before 9am (local time).

Flames and smoke blocked the entrance to the church, causing a crowd crush, security sources told Reuters. Most of those killed were children. Some people jumped from higher floors in an attempt to escape.

Ahmed Reda Baioumy, who lives next to the church, told AFP: “Everyone was carrying kids out of the building, but the fire was getting bigger and you could only go in once or you would asphyxiate.”

Fifteen firefighting vehicles managed to put out the blaze in the narrow street by Sunday afternoon, while footage from the scene showed damage to the church, including burnt wooden furniture. Worried families waited outside for news about missing loved ones.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said in a tweet: “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.”

sa/mud