41 killed in a fire at a Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt

Africa, Middle East, News August 14, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

An electrical malfunction led to a massive fire in a church in Cairo, resulting in the death of at least 41 people. Several people were injured during the tragic incident.

The fire broke out during the mass of more than 5000 worshipers who had gathered at the Abu Sefien Coptic Orthodox Church in the Imbaba neighborhood of Cairo. According to the early reports, the fire blocked the entrance of the church causing a stampede that resulted in the death of 41 worshipers, including at least 10 children who were present in the gathering.

Several people had been trapped inside the church in a thick black cloud of smoke as many tried to jump off the upper floors of the church in an attempt to avoid the blazing fire. According to the eyewitnesses and paramedic staff, suffocation and stampede was the main reason behind many deaths.

According to the early forensic reports released by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, the fire began due to an electrical malfunction in the second-floor air conditioning system and soon spread across the whole church causing thick smoke, while blocking the main entrance of the building.

The spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church Mousa Ibrahim gave the details about those who had passed away in the tragic incident. He stated that at least ten children were among those who had passed away in the stampede including five-year-old triplets, their mother, grandmother, and an aunt. He further said that funerals for the dead would take place at two churches in the nearby Waraq neighborhood.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke with the Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II to offer his condolences on the tragic incident. He also offered his condolences through the official social media accounts by stating that “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.”

He further announced that all state services have been dispatched while all measures have been taken to respond to the incident. The Egyptian cabinet also announced a compensation of 100,000 Egyptian Pounds ($5,220) for the families of those who dies in the fire.

*^{A massive fire in a church in Cairo led to the death of at least 41 people. (Image Credit: Tarek Wajeh/AP)}*

Copts are one of the largest Christian communities in the Middle East. Copt Christian community is predominantly present in Egypt and makes up for at least 10 million of Egypt’s 103 million population.

Egypt’s chief prosecutor, Hamada el-Sawy, ordered an investigation, and a team of prosecutors was dispatched to the church. Egypt has suffered several deadly fires in recent years. In March 2021, at least 20 people died in a blaze in a textile factory in the eastern suburbs of Cairo. In 2020, two hospital fires killed 14 COVID-19 patients.