Egyptian church fire kills 41, including many children 

Cairo: At least 18 children died in a fire that killed dozens of worshippers gathered for Sunday morning mass at an Egyptian Coptic Christian church. 

As per reports, an electrical fire swept through the church, causing a stampede and killing at least 41 people, most of them children and many suffering from smoke inhalation.  

The blaze started just before 9 am in the Abu Sifin church in the city of Giza where about up to 1,000 people had gathered. 

The fire blocked an entrance to the church, causing the stampede, the two sources said, adding that most of those killed were children.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said a forensic examination showed that the fire began in the second floor air conditioning as a result of an electrical malfunction. 

Smoke inhalation was the main cause of death, it said. Families of those who died will receive 100,000 Egyptian pounds ($5,220), according to a cabinet statement. 

Electrical fires are not rare in Egypt. In late 2020, a fire at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients killed at least seven people.

The country has suffered several deadly fires in recent years. 

Last year, at least 20 people died in a blaze in a textile factory in the eastern suburbs of Cairo.