25 people killed in Egypt during a football match

At least 25 people were killed after a riot broke out on Sunday night outside a major football game in Egypt causing a stampede and fighting between police and fans, authorities said.


The bodies of victims were transported in ambulances to the Zeinhom morgue in Cairo.

The riot, only three years after similar violence killed 74 people, began ahead of a match between Egyptian Premier League clubs Zamalek and ENPPI at Air Defence Stadium east of Cairo.

Such attacks in the past have sparked days of violent protests, pitting the country's hard-core fans against police officers in a nation already on edge after years of revolt and turmoil.

Two security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 25 people were killed.

Egypt's public prosecutor issued a statement ordering an investigation.

It was not immediately clear what caused the violence.

Security officials said Zamalek fans tried to force their way into the match without tickets, sparking clashes.

Fans have only recently been allowed back at matches and the Interior Ministry planned to let only 10,000 fans into the stadium, which has a capacity of about 30,000, the officials said.

Zamalek fans, known as "White Knights," posted on their group's official Facebook page that the violence began because authorities only opened one narrow, barbed-wire door to let them in. They said that sparked pushing and shoving that later saw police officers fire tear gas and birdshot.

A fan who tried to attend the game, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity out of fear of being targeted by police, said that the stampede was caused by police who fired tear gas at the tightly packed crowd.

After convening an emergency meeting to discuss the violence, the Cabinet announced that it was postponing upcoming football matches until further notice, Egypt's state television said.

Egypt's hard-core football fans, known as Ultras, frequently clash with police inside and outside stadiums.

They are deeply politicised and many participated in the country's 2011 uprising that forced out former President Hosni Mubarak.