Sunday, January 27, 2013

Mass funeral held in Egypt after 37 people killed in riots in Port Said; Renewed clashes kill 3 more

PORT SAID, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian health officials say three people have been killed and more than 400 injured in renewed clashes between protesters and police in the Mediterranean city of Port Said.

They said Sunday's casualties occurred during a funeral procession for most of 37 people killed in clashes in the previous day and when gunmen exchanged gunfire with police at two police stations and the city's main prison.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The Port Said violence broke out after a court on Saturday sentenced 21 defendants to death for their roles in a mass soccer riot in the city's stadium nearly a year ago. The Feb. 1, 2012 riot left 74 people dead. Most of those sentenced were local soccer fans.