At least 41 persons have been killed and 55 others injured after a fire broke out at the Abu Sefein Church in the north of Egypt’s Giza city on Sunday.
The Egyptian Ministry of Health said the number of deaths has reached to 41 so far and 55 were wounded. However, these numbers are unconfirmed, with the tally expected to change.
A large fire broke out during the Divine Liturgy, and that a number of worshipers were transferred from the scene to Imbaba General Hospital and Agouza Hospital, the Coptic Orthodox Church said in a statement.
The General Administration of Civil Protection in Giza sent fire fighters and vehicles to fight the blaze, which was swiftly brought under control.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly sent his sincere condolences and sympathy for the families of the victims.
An investigation has been set up to ascertain the cause of the fire, However, the preliminary examination of the forensic evidence suggests the fire broke out in the air-conditioning system on the second floor of the church building, as a result of an electrical fault.
