馃嚜馃嚞EgyptNorth Africa
Cairo civil protection director among four killed in firefighting operation
via Egypt Today2 min read
Four individuals, including Major General Mohamed El-Sherbiny, director of the General Administration of Civil Protection in Cairo, and two other civil protection personnel, died while battling a fire in Cairo's Manshiyet Nasser district on Wednesday. The blaze, which started in a timber workshop, quickly spread through a four-story building, leading to its collapse. The other victims were police Captain Abdel Rahman El-Adawy of the civil protection administration, police sergeant Hamad Sabra, and Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud, an employee of the Ministry of Electricity. Approximately 15 people were injured and hospitalized. Civil defense teams brought the fire under control, and authorities have provided temporary housing for seven displaced families. Investigations into the fire's cause are ongoing. Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber praised the director and other victims for their dedication and sacrifice.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Must ReadSenior officials from Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet with Qatari mediators in Doha on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to discuss an interim deal aimed at ending the US-Iran war. Iran's delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, will hold its initial meeting with the mediators. However, direct talks between the US and Iran are not expected. US President Donald Trump had previously stated that Iran requested new talks in Qatar. Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are in Doha to meet Qatari officials and mediators, not for direct negotiations with Iranian representatives. These mediation efforts follow a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington to halt their conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28. The war escalated regionally after Tehran launched retaliatory strikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz. Key discussion points are expected to include Iran鈥檚 control over the strait and the release of Iranian funds frozen due to US sanctions.
Must ReadEgypt's Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between Gustave Roussy Hospital and the French Embassy in Egypt. This agreement aims to provide comprehensive medical care for Gazan children with cancer who have been evacuated to Egypt. The protocol was signed by Dr. Tarek Moharram, founder and CEO of Elevate Capital, and French Ambassador to Egypt Eric Chevallier. The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, the French Embassy in Egypt, Gustave Roussy Hospital, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and the World Health Organization WHO. Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the strong relationship between Egypt and France and highlighted the protocol as an example of international cooperation in medical technology and expertise development, aligning with Egypt Vision 2030. He also acknowledged France's humanitarian support during the Gaza crisis. Ambassador Chevallier stated that the partnership, funded by the French government, will provide high-quality cancer care through specialized medical teams from Gustave Roussy Hospital. Dr. Moharram described the partnership as a significant step in international cooperation to support patients, combining international expertise with local capabilities.
The Ministry of Interior in Egypt announced the release of 1,834 inmates from correctional and rehabilitation centers. This action coincides with the anniversary of the June 30 Revolution and is part of the ministry's modern penal policy, which includes expanding presidential pardons. The inmates were released under Presidential Decree No. 269 of 2026, which grants pardons for the remainder of sentences to eligible convicts. Specialized committees within the Community Protection Sector reviewed inmate files to ensure they met legal requirements and had completed rehabilitation programs. The Ministry of Interior noted that religious and national holidays offer opportunities for eligible inmates to receive pardons and begin new chapters after completing reform programs.