Egyptian activists are taking to the streets Thursday to protest the failure of police to prevent violence at a soccer match that left at least 74 people dead and hundreds injured in the northern city of Port Said. The protesters are angry that most riot police in the stadium appeared to stand idly by as the worst case of soccer violence in Egyptian history unfolded on Wednesday night. Others are concerned that some of the fans were apparently allowed to carry weapons into the stadium. The violence broke out when fans of the home team, Al-Masry, stormed the field at the end of the match, attacking players and supporters of the visiting Al-Ahly club.
VOA correspondent Elizabeth Arrott reported a tense environment Thursday in Port Said, where troops were deployed to prevent further clashes. She said some protesters in the city are blaming the police and military for the incident, while others are calling for retaliation against the fans who instigated the violence. The deputy director of the Port Said General Hospital told VOA that many of the casualties appeared to be the result of suffocation and stab wounds. Witnesses say others died after being trampled or thrown from the terraces of the stadium. The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest political party, blamed the violence on supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, saying some are "intent on forcing Egypt into chaos and destruction." Egypt's cabinet and parliament are discussing the events during emergency meetings on Thursday, at the beginning of an official three-day period of mourning. The head of Egypt's military council, Field Marshal Mohamed Tantawi, has formed a task force to investigate the incident, and promised the riots "will not affect Egypt and its security."