24 killed in Cairo riots

October 10th, 2011 - 7:07 pm ICT by Aishwarya Bhatt  

Cairo, Oct 10 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Security forces in Egypt have arrested several people linked with the recent riots in the capital that has resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people and dozens more injured. The clashes are between Christians, Muslims and the police.

The riots are the worst in the country since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak earlier in the year. Angry Christians retaliated when Muslims attacked their church. The security forces were deployed to restore order but the ensuing clashes that erupted resulted in the deaths of 24 people with more than 200 people injured.

About 1,000 security forces have been tasked to handle the riot which started near the national broadcaster in the Nile region. A curfew has been declared on the volatile areas with strong military presence. Tanks and other military vehicles could be seen in the areas where the riots were most intense. The clashes erupted between the rioters and the security forces resulting in some police vehicles being set ablaze.

Egypt has a population of about 80 million people. Only ten percent have identified themselves as Christians in the country.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf pleaded for calm. In an address which was carried on the national television, Sharaf pleaded that, “Muslims and Christians, women and children, young men and elders to hold their unity.”

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