Dozens Dead in Egypt's 'Day of Rage'

Civilians battle pro-Morsi protesters in gunfights
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 16, 2013 11:48 AM CDT
Updated Aug 16, 2013 6:15 PM CDT
'Day of Rage' Turns Deadly in Egypt
Supporters of ousted Mohamed Morsi march toward downtown Cairo.   (AP Photo/Thomas Hartwell)

Supporters of Mohamed Morsi have turned out in force on the streets of Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt in a "day of rage" to protest this week's crackdown. The usual chaos is evident in attempts to get a count on casualties, but a Reuters correspondent reports seeing 27 bodies in Cairo, where the biggest demonstrations were taking place in Ramses Square. The news service reports a total of 50 killed in the city today, and at least 20 additional deaths elsewhere in the nation; the AP reports that 68 have died.

Unlike past clashes between police and protesters, today's include civilians and maybe plainclothes police fighting the Muslim Brotherhood. In fact, few uniformed police officers could be seen as pro-Morsi protesters exchanged shots for hours with neighborhood watchdogs over a bridge in Cairo. Meanwhile, the upper floors of a downtown commercial building caught fire for several hours, but no one was said to be hurt. (More Egypt stories.)

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