Sixteen people were killed Friday morning in a Molotov cocktail attack on a nightclub in western Cairo, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior said in a statement.
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Other reports, quoting a security official, suggested that there was one assailant involved, describing him an employee who had been fired from the restaurant.
Local media outlets reported that the attack happened at a nightclub in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, where attackers reportedly threw Molotov cocktails and then fled away on motorcycles as a blaze grew, according to Daily News Egypt.
At least 16 people were killed in a firebomb attack on a nightclub near Cairo after an argument broke out between employees and revellers seeking to enter.
The agency said the fire was quickly extinguished and security authorities are investigating the attack.
Officials in the Egyptian capital denied speculation that the attacks had any terror connection. Amanager at the club told AFP that the wooden ceiling had caught fire and collapsed.
“I tried to prevent a group from entering because I suspected they would cause problems”.
While Egypt is regularly hit by extremist violence, particularly targeting security forces, attacks on nightclubs are rare. An Islamist insurgency intensified after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. Three other people were injured.
The incident occurred at the El Sayad Restaurant in Cairo’s Agouza district, reported the Associated Press.
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The eatery was in the cellar, with just one doorway leading out, which makes it harder for individuals to escape. Also last month, a detained veterinarian died following a quarrel with a police officer in the port city of Ismailia.
