EGYPT: Demonstrators confront riot police outside the interior ministry as thousands take to the streets to protest the deaths of 74 people at a soccer riot

Record ID: 254363

  • Title: EGYPT: Demonstrators confront riot police outside the interior ministry as thousands take to the streets to protest the deaths of 74 people at a soccer riot
  • Date: 3rd February 2012
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 2, 2012) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS CARRYING EGYPTIAN AND AL AHLI FLAGS MARCHING PROTESTERS MARCHING MORE OF PROTESTERS MARCHING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING OVER BRIDGE LEADING TO TAHRIR SQUARE PROTESTERS HOLDING EGYPTIAN AND AL AHLI FLAG PROTESTERS IN TAHRIR SQUARE PROTESTER HOLDING SIGN CRITICISING EGYPT FOR GIVING NATURAL GAS TO ISRAEL BUT NO
  • Embargoed: 18th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt, Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Crime,Disasters,Religion,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3J0H0WYHHXEI7FH7ZVQ06XAV9
  • Story Text: Incensed at the deaths of 74 people in the country's worst soccer disaster, thousands of Egyptians took to the streets of Cairo on Thursday (February 2).
    Carrying flags of Egypt and the Al Alhi football club, they chanted: "Free revolutionaries will continue the journey", as they marched towards Tahrir Square.
    A few protesters at Tahrir Square lit a flare, while others confronted anti-riot police near the interior ministry.
    Some tried to break through barbed wire, and some threw stones at the police to protest against Egypt's army-led government in the wake of the disaster.
    One lawmaker said the prosecution of the interior minister was being considered.
    "A number of measures will be taken - and the prosecution of the interior minister is also being studied, as is his resignation. So the parliament is in continuous session for the coming few days until it reaches a final result with regards to this situation," said parliamentarian Wahid Abdul Maguid.
    Another member said a panel will examine the matter.
    "We discussed the issue of the Port Said incident, and after all the discussions, we are transferring it to a legislative committee to discuss the situation from beginning to end," said lawmaker Mahmoud al-Saqa.
    At least 1,000 people were injured in the violence on Wednesday evening when soccer fans invaded the pitch after local team al-Masry beat visitors from Cairo's Al Ahli, the most successful football club in Africa.
    Hundreds of al-Masry supporters surged across the pitch to the visitors' end and panicked Ahli fans dashed for the exit.
    But the steel doors were bolted shut and dozens were crushed to death in the stampede, witnesses said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register