Dozens confirmed dead in Egypt at Giza Coptic church

At least 41 people, including 10 children, died while several others were injured when fire ripped through a Coptic Church in a densely populated area of Cairo, Egypt, during the morning church service.

Many of the victims of the inferno were crushed during a desperate scramble to escape.

The blaze was reported to have started just before 9 a.m. 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 Egyptian Interior Ministry said a forensic examination showed that the fire began in the second floor air conditioning as a result of an electrical malfunction.

The statement added that smoke inhalation was the main cause of death. Families of those who died will receive 100,000 Egyptian pounds, which is about $5,220, according to a cabinet statement

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has offered his sincere condolences to the families of the innocent victims.

He also ordered the armed forces to rebuild the church.

Sunday’s blaze was one of the worst fire tragedies in recent years in Egypt, where safety standards and fire regulations are poorly enforced. In March last year, a fire at a garment factory near Cairo killed at least 20 people and injured 24.