Beni Sweif Cultural Palace Fire

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The Beni Sweif Cultural Palace Fire occurred in Beni Sweif(also Bani Suwayf), Egypt on September 5, 2005 and killed 46 people.

The Cultural Palace was overcrowded at the occasion of the Amateur Theatre Festival when a burning candle lid paper décor on the stage and started a conflagration. A stampede erupted towards a single exit. Fire extinguishing equipment was locked in a far-away room, and fire engines and ambulances arrived late and unprepared[1] People burned but died also in the stampede.[2]

In the aftermath the Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni, resigned, a move that was later revoked by President Mubarak. In May 2006 eight cultural bureaucrats were convicted for negligence and received 10-year prison sentences.[2]

The fire affected specifically the theatrical community of Egypt who had come to the Cultural Palace on that day for the festival. September 5 has been named the National Day of Theatre in remembrance.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hala Halim (2005-09-15). In the aftermath of Beni Sweif. Al-Ahram.
  2. ^ a b Ibn Ad Dunya (2006-05-22). Eight convicted for negligence in Beni Sueif Cultural Palace fire.

[edit] External link

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