The Egyptian Ministry of Health previously reported 55 hospitalizations and said the number of fatalities has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi reports via Facebook that the government is taking all possible measures.
The fire broke out during a Christian celebration in and around the Abu Sayfayn church. There was a rush of people who tried to flee in panic. As a result, several victims were trampled by the crowd. The cause of the fire is not yet known, authorities said. An initial investigation indicated an electrical short circuit, according to a police statement.
The Coptic Church is the largest Christian church in the Middle East. Ten to fifteen percent of the approximately 100 million Egyptians belong to this church community. They are therefore an important minority in the country.