WORLD> Africa
Death toll of Cairo rockslide climbs to 61
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-10 20:44

CAIRO - At least 61 people have been confirmed dead in a massive rockslide in the east of Cairo, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported on Wednesday, citing an official source.

Egyptian riot police walk on rocks that fell in Manshiyet Nasser shanty town in eastern Cairo September 9, 2008. [Agencies]

Thirteen people out of the 58 injured are still in hospitals for treatment, said Mohammed Sultan, head of the Health Ministry Ambulance Department.

On Saturday morning, the massive rockslide in El-Deweiqa area, close to the eastern Cairo suburb of Nasr City, leveled a number of shanties in the slum area.

Huge boulders, estimated to weigh between 60 and 70 tons, buried about 30 houses at the foot of the Muqattam hill.

Security officials said that the casualties is expected to rise since an unknown number of people are estimated buried in the debris.

But hopes of finding more survivors are fading four days after the heavy boulders destroyed and buried the houses at the foot of the hills.