BENI SUEF — 2005 · Major Tragedy

Beni Suef Cultural Palace Fire

On the evening of 5 September 2005, during a play staged at an amateur theatre festival in the Cultural Palace of Beni Suef, Egypt, a burning candle on stage set paper scenery alight. Flames spread rapidly through the overcrowded hall as the audience rushed for a single exit. It emerged that firefighting equipment was locked in a distant room and that fire engines and ambulances arrived late and unprepared. At least 46 people died, among them actors and critics. The culture minister offered his resignation but it was not accepted; in May 2006 eight cultural officials were jailed for negligence.

Date

2005

Place

Beni Suef, Egypt, Beni Suef, EG

Category

Major Tragedy

Case Status

Closed

Coordinates

29.0740, 31.0970 ↗

🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.