Egypt’s state news agency says the attackers threw Molotov cocktails at the entrance from the nightclub, trapping people inside and burning many to death.
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It’s not clear what their motives were, but state officials suspect there was a dispute with nightclub staff.
While Egypt is regularly hit by extremist violence, particularly targeting security forces, attacks on nightclubs are rare.
The victims of the attack died from burns or smoke inhalation.
Government-run Al-Ahram reported that Egyptian prosecutors and police are investigating the incident. The perpetrators then left the club and returned later with Molotov cocktails which they used to commit the attack. It is thought that they tried to enter the club earlier but were turned away. However, the restaurant was located in a basement, which didn’t have any fire escape route, trapping people in the inferno.
There are conflicting reports about the number of the dead as some say a dozen people have lost their lives in the attack. Three people were injured.
A source adds one of the attackers may have been a disgruntled ex-employee of the nightclub. Instead, it’s among scores of small local eateries that skirt taboos around drinking by serving food and alcohol throughout the day, then turning into a bar overnight.
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Video posted by the newspaper Youm 7 showed thick black smoke pouring out of the doorway as people looked on helplessly outside at the charred entrance.
