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Middle East and North Africa

Wednesday’s unrest in Egypt claims 343 lives

Dozens of police stations, buildings of local authorities and several Coptic and Greek churches were put on fire

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

CAIRO, August 15 (Itar-Tass) - Wednesday’s unrest in Egypt claimed 343 lives. Another three thousand people were injured, as follows from a statement by the country’s Public Health Ministry. Most of the deaths were due to bullet wounds and suffocation by tear gas.

Fierce clashes between police and the supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood erupted after police on Wednesday attacked protesters’ camps in Cairo. The Islamists retaliated with acts of sabotage and provocations across the country. Dozens of police stations, buildings of local authorities and several Coptic and Greek churches were put on fire. In several areas armed Islamists mounted attacks against police offices.

According to the Al Dustour daily, a casual shot in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada on Wednesday evening killed a cafe client. The man was identified as a local resident. He fell victim to a shootout between police and Muslim Brotherhood supporters. Another thirteen casualties have been reported.

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