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Molotov cocktails kill at least 16 in Cairo

December 4, 2015

Egyptian security services say at least 16 people are dead and two injured after assailants firebombed a late-night restaurant in the capital's affluent Agouza district.

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Ägypten Anschlag in Kairo
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Elfiqi

The state-run al-Ahram newspaper reported that masked attackers threw petrol bombs at the El Sayad nightclub sparking a fast-moving blaze that engulfed patrons and staff.

Egypt's Youm7 news portal posted video of the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Egypt's interior ministry suggested the night club was targeted because of an unspecified dispute.

"Preliminary information indicates that there were differences between the staff of the nightclub and others, who threw petrol bombs at the door in revenge," the ministry said in a statement.

Victims of the fire were burned to death or died from smoke inhalation in the establishment. The restaurant, also a nightclub, was located in a basement, offering no escape route, officials said.

Police have reportedly launched a manhunt seeking three assailants who fled the scene by motorcycle, Egypt's state-run MENA news agency reported.

Islamist militants have claimed a number of deadly attacks in Egypt, mostly against members of the security forces since the army toppled President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.

jar/ng (Reuters, AP, AFP)