36 dead, over 1,000 injured in clashes between Egyptian protesters
Mohammed Sultan, deputy head of Egypt's national ambulance service said that 36 people were killed on Friday during violent clashes between supporters and opponents of deposed President Morsi. 1,138 more were injured, according to the Health Ministry.
Some of the worst violence was reported in Alexandria, where 14
people lost their lives.
Tens of thousands of people marched across the country in what the Muslim Brotherhood movement has called a "Friday of Rage".
Follow RT's LATEST
UPDATES
Street battles broke out in at least eight areas of Cairo
and in other parts of the country, with some celebrating the fall
of the democratically elected leader and others who feared the
return of military rule Egypt has struggled to put in the past.
Gunfire, molotov cocktails, pro-Morsi right below us, clashes with military #Egypt#Tahrir#Jun30
— Yousef Gamal El-Din (@youseftv) July 5, 2013
The clashes accelerated as the supreme leader of Morsi’s Muslim
Brotherhood Mohammed Badie addressed the protesters proclaiming
that his followers would not give up street action until the
return of the president.
“God make Morsi victorious and bring him back to the
palace,” Badie roused supporters at a Cairo mosque during
what was his first appearance since the overthrow. “We are his
soldiers we defend him with our lives.”
After Badie’s speech, a large crowd of Islamists moved across 6th
October Bridge over the Nile toward Tahrir Square, where scores
of Morsi’s opponents had been massed all day.
In Cairo, three hours of street fighting eased after the army
deployed troops and vehicles, to keep rival sides apart, Reuters
reports.
In total five people were killed and another 199 injured when the
Muslim Brotherhood attacked in the area of the Oct 6th Bridge, Al
Arabiya says citing Egypt's ambulance service.
Also three people were fatally shot outside Cairo’s Republican
Guard barracks where Morsi is being held. The army has denied
responsibility for the shooting but the incident sparked outrage
that has yet to subside. It was not immediately clear whether
other security forces may have been behind the shooting.
A car was set on fire amid a barrage of fireworks put to use as
weapons. Later reports suggested that further shots and tear gas
had been fired.
Helicopters were flying overhead as ambulances tried to tend to
the wounded, according to RT's Paula Slier.
Central security forces arriving on the scene, shots fired, tear gas shot #egypt
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) July 5, 2013
Despite suspending the Egyptian constitution after removing Morsi
from power, the army has pledged to hold democratic elections and
maintain an interim government, although a timetable has yet to
be released. A new prime minister could be named as early as
Saturday, Reuters reports.
Protesters were also spotted hurling stones off a bridge while
fireworks went off. Thick plumes of black smoke emanated from
small street fires as Egyptians scattered in different
directions. Gunshots have also been reported throughout the
country.
Helicopters are flying overhead and ambulances are arriving on the scene according to RT's Paula Slier.
Injured protestors being hurried away in ambulances from October 6 bridge #Tahrir
— PaulaSlier_RT (@PaulaSlier_RT) July 5, 2013
Despite suspending the Egyptian constitution after removing Morsi
from power, the army has pledged to hold democratic elections and
maintain an interim government, although a timetable has yet to
be released. A new prime minister could be named as early as
Saturday, Reuters reports.
Protesters were also spotted hurling stones off a bridge while
fireworks went off. Thick plumes of black smoke emanated from
small street fires as Egyptians scattered in different
directions. Gunshots have also been reported throughout the
country.
People have been running in a disorientated manner through plumes of thick smoke, with some traffic caught in the middle and lots of small fires being started. Protesters hurled stones from the bridge as the fireworks went off.
Video Pro-Morsi supporters bunkering down breaking pavement to use as stones by state TV #egypthttp://t.co/CDh7ew9K3U
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) July 5, 2013
The loud bangs emanating from the fireworks have been
interspersed with gunshots, according to eyewitnesses.
I'm not sure what type of guns are being used, but definitely heard birdshot, and probably heavier weapons as well. #Tahrir
— يعقوب Jaco Stoop (@JacoStoop) July 5, 2013
Automatic gunfire heard on October 6 bridge. Not sure who is firing in what direction #egypt
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) July 5, 2013
A large pro-Morsi crowd had been heading in the direction of the
state 'Maspero' TV building and gathered outside in the vicinity
of anti-Morsi crowds, fueling fears that violent encounter would
occur as they edged closer towards the square. Some injuries were
reported at the TV station. As protesters later moved towards he
bridge, crowds at Maspero thinned out.
Large pro-Morsi crowd outside Egypt's state TV building. Close to the anti-Morsi crowds in Tahrir Sq... pic.twitter.com/GqjjQPLPc0
— Aleem Maqbool (@AleemMaqbool) July 5, 2013
Military helicopters flew overhead as a large pro-Morsi crowd
headed in the direction of the state 'Maspero' TV building in
Cairo. Three people were reportedly killed when violence broke
out with the anti-Morsi crowds not far away.
In addition to Friday's violence in the capital, the Sidi Jaber district of Alexandria was badly hit, as pro-Morsi protesters lobbed stones and Molotov cocktails at police cars blocking the streets. At least 14 people have been killed in Alexandria, according to Reuters.
Five police officers were killed in separate incidents in the North Sinai town of El Arish. It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were linked to Morsi's ouster.
RT’s correspondent in Egypt also reported violent demonstrations in Giza as she accidently walked into clashes there.
Accidentally walked into the clashes which have spilled over into giza.no idea what's going on but can hear gunfire,ambulances ferrying ppl
— Bel Trew - بل ترو (@Beltrew) July 5, 2013
Over the course of the protests, according to Ministry of Health
data released on June 30, 62 people have died and more than 2,500
have been injured. At least 39 people have been killed since
Sunday, and as many as 160 instances of sexual assault have been
reported.
