Clashes Over Demolition of Houses in Cairo Result in 1 Dead, 19 Injured

Clashes between Egypt’s police and citizens took place in Cairo over efforts of local authorities to demolish illegal constructions in a densely populated and disadvantaged neighborhood of Egypt’s capital, which resulted in a death of one citizen, while 19 others were injured, country’s Interior Ministry said.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — At least 28 policemen and over ten construction workers were also injured in clashes on Sunday after the city’s authorities decided to demolish over 700 constructions, which were illegally built in the area, according to the ministry.

The residents of the neighborhood started to shoot policemen and throw rock right after the authorities arrived at the area to launch the demolition.

“We did not want that, but the government and law come first … No citizens will be evicted from their homes, it is only about violations,” Egypt Prime Minister Sherif Ismail said in relation to the incident, as quoted in the statement.

The official stressed that the government will continue to take down the illegal buildings.

The Egyptian government launched a program on demolition of illegal constructions in order to vacate the state-owned lands.