The Coptic Orthodox Church issued a communiqué mourning the death of eight Copts who lost their lives in a stampede at Anba Bishoi monastery at Wadi Natrun in the Western Desert where they were visiting the shrine of the recently departed Pope Shenouda III
The Coptic Orthodox Church issued a communiqué mourning the death of eight Copts who lost their lives in a stampede at Anba Bishoi monastery at Wadi Natrun in the Western Desert where they were visiting the shrine of the recently departed Pope Shenouda III. The Church said the acting Patriarch Anba Pachomeus had taken a decision that no visits should be allowed to Anba Bishoi’s except through prior permits. Ever since the passing away of the widely popular Pope Shenouda on 17 March, and his entombment on 20 March at a shrine especially built for him at Anba Bishoi’s, the desert monastery has been receiving visitors that largely exceeded it capacity, leading to the regretful stampede.
Five of those who lost their lives were identified as: Sandra Emad Kamel, 16; Magdy George Gabrail, 46; Mary Ishaq Erian, 13; Nadra Antar, 16; and the child Michael Ishaq Antar, 5. All were from Cairo. The other three victims have not yet been identified.
WATANI International
1 April 2012