Egypt Fire / Massive fire breaks out in Egypts capital Cairo 41 dead many scorched

Egypt Fire: At least 41 people, including 15 children, were killed and several others were injured when a fire broke out during prayer at a church in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Sunday morning. Witnesses said that after the fire broke out in the Martyr Abu Sefin church, black smoke filled the inside very quickly and there was chaos. Many people jumped down from the upper floors in an attempt to escape the fire. A man named Abu Bishoy said, "I was suffocating. It was getting difficult to breathe. All the people died.” 16 people were injured in the fire, including four police personnel. According to a police statement, the fire broke out in the Abu Sefeen Church located in the densely populated area of ​​Imbaba.

There were many children inside the building

According to the statement, the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained and preliminary investigations suggested a short-circuit to be the cause of the fire. The Coptic Church reported casualties, citing health officials. Witnesses said there were several children inside the building when the fire broke out. According to an eyewitness, smoke filled the church when the fire broke out and many trapped people jumped from the upper floors to escape, while many died of suffocation. 15 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze, while the casualties were rushed to nearby hospitals by ambulances.

President Abdul Fateh al-Sisi expressed grief

President Abdul Fateh al-Sisi spoke with Coptic Christian Pope Tawdros II on the phone and offered his condolences, the presidential office said. Al-Sisi said on Facebook, "I am keeping an eye on this tragic accident. I have asked the concerned agencies and institutions to take all necessary steps.” The health ministry said the injured people were taken to local hospitals. The ministry, however, did not give details about the death toll. Health Minister Khalid Abdul-Ghafar said in a statement that two of the injured were discharged from hospital, while 12 others were still undergoing treatment. The Home Ministry said it had received a report at 9 a.m. local time that an air conditioner on the second floor of the building had caught fire.