Egypt

World offer condolences to Egypt over victims of Abu Sefein church fire

Many countries and international organisations offered their condolences to Egypt over the victims of the massive fire that ripped through Abu Sefein Church in Imbaba district in Giza governorate early Sunday.

The blaze, which started before 9 am during the Divine Liturgy, claimed the lives of 41 people and injured 16 others.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the accident resulted from an electrical short circuit in a power generator, leading to the emission of heavy smoke that was the main cause of casualties.

In a tweet, the European Union Delegation to Egypt expressed its heartfelt condolences to Egypt, the Coptic Orthodox Church and the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

Furthermore, many Arab countries extended their condolences to Egypt over the heartbreaking accident, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait.

Additionally, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed in a statement the country’s deepest sympathies for the families of the deceased, wishing the speediest recovery of the injured.

“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of Egypt in this moment of grief,” added the statement.

Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, several state bodies, and Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world’s top religious institution, extended condolences to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and head of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who paid visit to the injured at the hospitals, said in TV remarks, said that an immediate compensation of EGP 100,000 will be granted to each of the families of each deceased person and up to EGP 20,000 will be granted to the families of the injured based on the degree of the injury.

This is in addition to multiple forms of support to be provided to the families of the victims during the coming period, he said.

Also, Egypt’s top Islamic authority Al-Azhar and civil society organisations will pay additional compensation of EGP 50,000 to the families of the victims, El-Qabbaj said earlier.