EGYPT SAYS 51 KILLED, 268 WOUNDED IN SUNDAY’S CLASHES

    Cairo, 3 Dhul Hijja 1434/7 October 2013 (MINA) – The Egyptian authorities confirmed that at least 51 people were killed and 268 wounded in clashes between security forces and pro-democracy protesters nationwide on Sunday.

      Khaled al-Khatib, the head of the Health Ministry’s emergency department, was quoted by Anadolu Agency reported Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as saying that 51 people were killed and 268 were injured in violence that engulf the country on the day its celebrated the 40th anniversary of its 1973 war victory over Israel.

     Al-Khatib said most of the deaths were in the capital Cairo and the Giza province.

    The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, in a statement, demanded an international investigation into the killings.

      “It held military chief Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim responsible for the deliberate killing of peaceful protesters,” that statement said.

     Violence had engulfed several provinces as police clashed with pro-democracy protesters marching to denounce the army’s ouster of elected president Mohamed Morsi on July 3.

       In the capital Cairo, several pro-democracy demonstrations were met with teargas from security forces struggling to keep the protesters away from the iconic Tahrir Square.

       Several suffered gunshot injuries and teargas inhalation amid reports of deaths.

       People marching from southern Cairo were blocked one kilometer away from the flashpoint square.

       Police forces fired teargas to disperse the marchers and arrested 20 of them, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.

       Another demonstration was blocked in Dokki, Giza, with security forces firing warning shots and teargas. Several were injured and others arrested.

      In Cairo’s Ramses Square, clashes broke out between security forces and pro-democracy protesters heading to Tahrir.

      In the canal province of Suez, 20 were injured in clashes between security forces and pro-democracy protesters.

      In Qalioubiya, six protesters were arrested as security forces broke up a protest, which security officials said tried to disrupt subway services in Shubra al-Kheima.

      Over 40 others were detained in the coastal city of Alexandria following clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

       Seven protesters were also arrested in the Upper Egyptian province of Assiut. Eight others were arrested in the adjacent province of Sohag. (T/P09/P04).

 

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)