Church to help fund Cancer Institute renovation after blast: Pope

CAIRO - 8 August 2019: Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria said that the church will contribute to financing the renovation of the National Cancer Institute after it was damaged by a blast that took place on Sunday.

A total of 22 people were killed and 47 were injured in the blast. None of the patients or medical staff members was harmed. However, the patients have been moved to other hospitals.

The head of the Coptic Orthodox Church expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the explosion.

The National Cancer Institute is one of the most important state buildings, and we applaud the efforts of the state and all its institutions in dealing with the painful incident, the pope said.

The pope also thanked the United Arab Emirates, as Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed donated LE 50 million to renovate the building.

Additionally, a number of Egyptian public figures announced donating for the restoration works: Businessman Hisham Talaat Mostafa donated LE 10 million, Dar Al-Orman Association donated LE 10 million, the Ministry of Social Solidarity allocated LE 5 million from the budget of Nasser Social Bank to the restoration of the building, businessman Naguib Sawiris donated LE 1 million, businessman Ahmed Abou Hashima donated LE 1 million, Garhy Steel donated LE 3 million, and businessman Mohamed Aboul Enein announced he would donate any quantity of ceramic needed.

The explosion occurred because of a car that contained explosives and drove wrong-way to crash into three other cars in front of the building, according to the Interior Ministry. The car was on its way to launch a terror attack elsewhere, the Ministry of Interior stated.

The ministry held Hasm terror group responsible for the incident. Hasm, Arabic for decisiveness, is believed to be affiliated with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The statement did not reveal further details regarding the terrorist attack Hasm was planning to do.