At least eight people have been killed and five others injured after a gunman opened fire in a busy street in Egypt’s southern province of Assiut on Monday, in a shocking incident that prompted a swift security response.
According to Egypt’s Interior Ministry, the attacker opened fire indiscriminately in a public area, causing panic among residents before security forces were deployed to the scene.
The gunman was later tracked down and killed in an armed exchange with police.
Emergency responders rushed the injured victims to Assiut University Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Footage circulating in local media showed a heavy security presence and ambulances stationed outside the facility as authorities secured the area.
The Interior Ministry, which oversees policing in Egypt, confirmed that five people sustained injuries in the attack. Officials said the assailant’s motive remains unclear but noted that he had a history of psychological illness and had previously received treatment at a psychiatric facility in Cairo.
Security services have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the suspect obtained the weapon and whether there were any warning signs prior to the incident.
Authorities say the situation is now under control, but the incident has raised renewed concerns about public safety and mental health monitoring in densely populated urban areas.
The Egyptian government has urged calm as investigations continue, while security forces remain deployed in the area to prevent any further incidents.
