Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Authorities in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate have confirmed that the death toll from the devastating fire at the Ghazl El-Beshbeishi textile dyeing factory in Al-Mahalla al-Kubra has risen to 11, with 32 others injured in the incident that rocked one of Egypt’s most prominent industrial cities.
Major General Ashraf El-Gendy, Governor of Gharbia, continued to monitor the situation closely on-site, accompanied by senior security and government officials including Major General Tamer El-Semary, Assistant Minister of Interior for the Central Delta Region, Major General Osama Nasr, Director of Gharbia Security, and Dr. Mahmoud Eissa, Deputy Governor. Multiple emergency services and relevant agencies were also deployed to manage the crisis response.
According to official statements, 25 of the injured have been discharged from hospitals after receiving the necessary medical attention, including three officers from the Civil Protection Forces who were treated and transferred to Al-Rowad Hospital. Seven individuals remain hospitalized, with two in intensive care and five others reported to be in stable condition.
Emergency Response and Medical Support
Governor El-Gendy assured the public that all medical facilities in the region are fully equipped and supplied with blood of all types, confirming that no patient currently requires blood transfusions. He further emphasized that reports circulating online about a critical shortage of blood or emergency resources are inaccurate.
The governor also highlighted that continuous coordination is ongoing between the Health Directorate and hospitals to ensure all victims receive optimal care.
Government Support and Building Safety
In a show of solidarity with the affected families, the governor directed the Directorate of Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Manpower to provide comprehensive support both financial and logistical to the victims and their families.
Additionally, a technical committee has been tasked with inspecting adjacent buildings to assess their structural integrity. The move is aimed at preventing any secondary incidents and ensuring the safety of the surrounding residential and commercial zones.
Misinformation Warnings and Media Protocol
Governor El-Gendy called on citizens to rely solely on official government sources for updates and urged the public not to engage with rumors or unverified claims circulating on social media. He stressed that the Gharbia Governorate’s Media Office remains the only authorized source for information regarding the fire and its aftermath.
“All developments will be communicated transparently and promptly,” he said. “We must rely on facts, not speculation.”
Investigation Underway
While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially disclosed, preliminary investigations are underway. Eyewitness accounts suggest the blaze spread rapidly due to the presence of highly flammable chemicals commonly used in the dyeing process.
The Ghazl El-Beshbeishi facility is part of a large and aging industrial zone in Al-Mahalla al-Kubra, long known as a hub of Egypt’s textile manufacturing sector. The incident has reignited concerns over industrial safety standards in older factories, especially those that continue to operate with limited fire safety infrastructure.
Officials have pledged a full and transparent investigation into the incident, and any findings that reveal negligence or safety violations are expected to result in legal accountability.
National Response
The tragedy has drawn national attention, with government officials, local leaders, and labor unions expressing condolences to the families of the victims. There have also been growing calls for a nationwide review of safety protocols in industrial zones, particularly in sectors where workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals and confined factory spaces.
As the country mourns another industrial disaster, questions are being raised about enforcement of safety regulations, emergency preparedness, and the conditions of Egypt’s vast workforce in the manufacturing sector.
