As a result of a fire in the parish of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the working district of the city of Giza, Egypt, at least 41 people died and 14 were injured. The government will pay 50,000 Egyptian pounds (about 2,500 euros) to families who have lost their father, and 25,000 pounds (about 1,250 euros) in the event of the death of another family member, according to Coptic portal Watani on Sunday, 14 of August .

The injured will receive support worth 5,000 pounds (about 250 euros). In addition, for families who have lost their breadwinners, a monthly pension is provided.

According to preliminary data, the fire occurred in the building’s ventilation system. At the time of the emergency, there were about 5,000 people and the service was held. According to eyewitnesses, the fire led to mass panic. According to Watani, among the dead is the community priest.

Egyptian president announced the mobilization of emergency services

Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Throne of Saint Mark across Africa and the Middle East Theodore (Tawadros) II has already expressed his condolences regarding the “painful incident”.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Facebook that all state forces had been mobilized to ensure the necessary response. To extinguish the fire and provide medical assistance to the victims, 15 firefighters and many ambulances were involved. Al-Sisi has already spoken by phone with Theodore II.

Christian minority in Egypt

The Coptic Church belongs to the group of ancient oriental churches, which differ from the Orthodox churches of the Byzantine tradition by elements of ritual and dogma. The Christian minority in Egypt represents about 10% of the population and numbers approximately nine million people. In Egypt, there are regular attacks on churches, as well as terrorist attacks against Christians.