Sectarian clashes between Muslims and Christian Copts on Wednesday left two people dead and at least eight more injured in central Egypt According to the Daily News Egypt, the incident began as an altercation over a speed bump but turned into a sectarian conflict in Abo Korkas, Minya Governorate. The two victims were Muslims.
The clashes escalated between Muslims and Coptic Christians and Military authorities imposed a curfew in the city starting at 11:00 p.m. local time. In addition, 25 individuals were arrested.
Police trucks patrolled the streets of Abo Korkas while urging citizens to respect the curfew imposed in order to avoid further violence in the small city located around 260 kilometers (161.55 miles) from Cairo.
According to witnesses, two families, one Muslim and the other Copt, engaged in an argument over a speed bump recently built. The Muslim family removed the bump which was in front of their residence.
The speed bump was rebuilt by the Coptic family; one of its members is Alaa Rida Roushdy, National Democratic Party candidate for the 2010 parliamentary elections. The discussion turned violent and deadly in a short period of time.
The two Muslims dead were identified as Ali Abdel Kader, 48, and Meabed Abo Zeid, 40. Police and military forces established security patrols at the city's entry and exit points.
In addition to the 25 individuals arrested, police informed that a number of weapons, including firearms, was seized as well. The Minya General Hospital said that eight people were treated for injuries sustained in the clashes.
There are around 8 million Christian Copts in Egypt, which represent about 10 percent of the population. Minya governorate has one of the highest number of Copts in the country. About 50 percent of the region's 4.2 million population are Coptic Christians.
