Photo: Instagram.com
An electrical fire broke out at an Egyptian Coptic Christian church during mass on Sunday, taking the lives of at least 41 people, mostly children. The tragedy occurred just before 9am at the Abu Sefein church in the city of Giza where about 1,000 people had gathered. Although the reason for the fire remains unknown, father Farid Fahmy from a nearby church in the Imbaba neighborhood, stated that it was sparked by a short circuit.
As the news of the disaster spread, several celebrities and prominent personalities around the region have expressed their condolences through social media. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, offered his condolences to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the victims’ families and expressed “profound sorrow and sincere sympathy”, while wishing the injured a “quick recovery”. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, wished the people who were hurt in the tragedy a steady recovery.
Below, all the actors who took to Instagram to express their grief.
Nelly Karim
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The Egyptian actor posted a picture of the church in ruins and wrote, “My condolences to myself, my family, my sisters, and all of Egypt in this tragic accident,” along with several broken-heart emojis.
Hend Sabry
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The Cairo-based Tunisian actor wrote, “My sincere condolences to the Egyptian people for the victims of the Abu Sefein church fire, with my wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured.”
Mona Zaki, Dorra Zarrouk, Passant Shawky, Jamila Awad
The actors, who are a part of the Egyptian Syndicate of Artists, gave a joint statement sharing their condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.
Photo: Instgaram.com/dorra_zarrouk
Yousra
Photo: Instagram.com/youssra
The Egyptian actor wrote, “Deepest condolences to all the families of the victims of the Abu Sefein church. May God grant them all patience. It is really sad news..”
Tara Emad
Photo: Instagram.com/taraemad
The Egyptian-Montenegrin actor reposted singer Simone Phillipe’s Instagram story that read, “Till moment, 41, including the church priest, were reported dead after the fire ripped through the Abu Sefein church, Imbaba, half of them are children”, along with the prayer: “May Allah have mercy on them, wishing speedy recovery for the others.”
Huda El Mufti
Photo: Instagram.com/hudaelmufti
The Egyptian actor also reposted Phillipe’s story on her account and captioned it “rest in peace.”
Kinda Alloush
Photo: Instagram.com/kindalloush
The Syrian actor shared the news of the “sad and unfortunate fire”, wishing patience for the affected families.
Salma Abu Deif
Photo: Instagram.com/salmaabudeif
The Egyptian actor also shared her condolences via a prayer for the deceased.
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