TWO tragedies shook Egypt on Monday. Eight people were killed when a public transport bus plunged into an irrigation canal. Later that evening, at least 31 people died of severe burns when a fire broke out in a theatre. The bus was on its way from Malawi, near Minya governorate, to Cairo on a 220km early morning journey when a truck driving in the wrong direction collided with it. The bus plunged into a canal in southern Al-Ibrahimiya. Thirteen people were injured and 29 reported missing. In the second incident, shortly before midnight, in Beni Sweif, 60km south of Cairo, a fire engulfed a crowded theatre sparked by candles used by actors on stage. One candle reportedly fell over and set fire to the theatre located in the Culture Palace, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Culture. The inferno and an ensuing stampede killed at least 32 people and left 37 injured, 12 critically. The injured had to be transported to the capital for treatment. According to hospital sources, some of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition. The fire spread quickly across the set, made entirely of paper and ringed with numerous candles. Panicked from the horrific blaze, the audience and actors trampled each other as they struggled to make their way through the one exit available at the theatre. And even that was blocked at one point when a plank fell in front of the door. Scenes aired by Egyptian television showed one man in pain and another throwing himself on the ground in an attempt to take off his burning clothes. According to eye witnesses, the fire, which started at around 11.30pm, took firefighters over two hours to put out. The blaze burnt the theatre to the ground, leaving only ashes behind, while eating up nearby palm trees. Sources at the Ministry of Interior said the dead included three actors, three students from an arts academy and three journalists, two of whom were from state-owned newspapers and one from an opposition publication. Preliminary reports said the blaze was caused by negligence. Minister of Health Mohamed Awad Tageddin said he expected the investigation team to examine both the fire's cause and the reason behind the high death toll. While the government requires a few fire safety measures in buildings, including the installation of fire extinguishers, such regulations are either ignored or not meticulously enforced. The play was being performed on the third of a nine-day festival featuring plays performed by troupes from around Egypt. The fire was the worst in Egypt since 2002 when nearly 400 people were killed after a crowded passenger train caught fire.
