Egypt on verge of civil war! 42 protesters killed, over 300 injured trying to storm military headquarters

At least 42 people were killed today in clashes outside a military building in Cairo where supporters of the former president were holding a sit-in, an Egyptian health ministry official said.

Khaled el-Khatib said initial reports also indicated at least 322 were wounded, although he gave no details on the circumstances of the killings.

Military spokesmen said gunmen opened fire on troops at the building, killing at least five supporters of Mohammed Morsi and one officer when people tried to storm the building.


A spokesman from Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and a witness at the scene however said military forces opened fire at dawn on the protesters outside the Republican Guard building during prayers. The different accounts could not be reconciled.

In a statement carried on the state news agency, Egypt's interim administration expressed 'deep regret' for those killed in the violence.

It also said it had formed a judicial committee to investigate the events and called on protesters not to approach any military or 'other vital installations'.