News story

Foreign Office Minister shocked and saddened by violence in Port Said

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said he was shocked and saddened by the scenes of violence at a football stadium in Port Said, Egypt on 1 February.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

At least 74 people were killed in the violence which broke out at the end of a football match between al-Masry and al-Ahly.

Speaking today the Foreign Office Minister said:

“We were deeply shocked and saddened by the scenes of violence at a football stadium in Port Said last night. Our thoughts are with the families of those who were injured or lost their lives. We understand that the Egyptian Parliament is holding an emergency session and Field Marshal Tantawi has announced three days of national mourning in Egypt.

We urge the Egyptian authorities to set up a transparent enquiry to uncover the causes of the tragedy and hold those responsible to account.”

Published 2 February 2012