Social Solidarity Min. allocates LE 2M for compensating Al-Rasheda's families

CAIRO – 7 October 2018: Ministry of Social Solidarity allocated LE 2 million to the families affected by the fire that hit palm tree farmlands in Al-Rasheda village, New Valley governorate.

Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Waly issued directives to the ministry’s General Directorate of Relief to allocate LE 2 million to compensate the families after receiving initial inventory data about the losses.

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli said on Sunday, Oct. 7, there is full coordination among all ministries and bodies concerned with the huge fire that hit the palm tree farmlands in New Valley governorate on Oct. 5.

He lauded the cooperation of the Armed Forces that immediately sent four fire-fighting helicopters to put out the fire, according to a statement by the media office of the Cabinet.

The fire gutted 100 feddans planted with palm trees in Al-Rasheda village as high winds helped the fire to spread quickly until it reached nearby houses.

Eighteen fire engines and 18 water trucks took part in extinguishing the fire that was controlled after 16 hours. A state of emergency was declared in the village as all houses were evacuated to avoid casualties.

Twenty ambulances rushed to the scene and a state of emergency was declared at all hospitals, the health minister stated, adding that a field hospital was also set up on the scene to provide necessary medical care to the wounded.

The fire caused no deaths but 37 people were injured, mostly suffering from smoke inhalation. Seven firefighters and civil defense personnel were among the injured.

The local development and environment ministers visited the village. They ordered the concerned authorities to pinpoint the reason of the fire and the number of villagers who were harmed by the fire to pay the necessary compensations.