A fire in the parish of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt killed at least 41 people and injured 14 others. The authorities have promised aid to the families of the dead and injured.

As a result of the fire in the parish of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the working class neighborhood of Giza in Egypt, 41 people were killed and 14 injured, according to Deutsche Welle. As the Coptic portal Watanli reported weekly, on September 14, the government will pay 50,000 Egyptian pounds (close to 2,500 euros) to families who have lost a father, and 25,000 pounds (close to 1,250 euros) if another member of the family dies.

Injured people will receive a support of 5,000 pounds (about 250 euros). In addition, families who have lost a loved one will receive a one thousand-pound pension.

According to earlier data, the accident occurred in the ventilation system of the building. At the time of the attack, the building had approximately 5,000 people in attendance, and a worship service was in progress. According to eyewitnesses, the fire led to mass panic. According to Vatani, a priest of the community was among the dead.

Pope Feodor (Tawadros) II, Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark throughout Africa and the Middle East, has already expressed his condolences for the "cause of the pain".

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Facebook that all government forces are mobilized to ensure the necessary response. To extinguish the fire and provide medical assistance to the victims, 15 fire trucks and a number of ambulances were used. Al-Sisi had already contacted Theodore II by telephone.

The Coptic Church belongs to the group of Old Christian churches, which are in the Orthodox churches of the Byzantine tradition by the elements of ritual and devotion. The Christian minority in Egypt accounts for close to ten percent of the population, numbering approximately nine million people. There are regular attacks on churches in Egypt, as well as terrorist attacks against Christians.