A court in Egypt has sentenced 21 men to death for taking part in violence at a football match that killed 74 people.

As the verdict was read out in court, families of those who were killed who were in the public gallery wailed in disbelief and relief and shouted “God is great!”

The judge said in his statement read live on state TV that he would announce the verdict for the remaining 52 defendants on March 9.

Protesters had gathered at the prison where many of the defendants in the case were being held and shortly after the verdict was announced, two policemen were shot dead outside the jail.

But some in Port Said were angry that people from their city were being held responsible for the disaster, and many rampaged
through the streets and attempted to storm a police station.

More than 70 people were killed in Port Said in February 2012 during clashes between fans of home side Al Masry and diehard supporters of Cairo’s Al Ahly, known as ‘Ultras’.

Doctors treating the victims said some had been stabbed to death. One player caught up in the rioting described it as “a war”.

Witnesses said most of the deaths involved people who had been trampled in the crush of panicked crowds, or who fell from terraces.

After the violence, deputy health minister Hesham Sheiha told state television: “This is unfortunate and deeply saddening. It is the biggest disaster in Egypt’s soccer history.”

Among those on trial are nine security officials. The riot was the world’s deadliest soccer violence in 15 years.

As is customary in Egypt, the death sentences will be sent to religious authority, the Grand Mufti, for approval.

Egypt: Army deployed in Egypt as crowd storms Port Said prison after stadium stampede death sentences

The Egyptian army has been deployed in Port Said, where a crowd attempted to storm a prison. The deadly assault follows the sentencing of 21 people to death for the riot and stampede in Port Said in which dozens were killed last February.

As the verdict was issued in Port Said, the families of the condemned attempted to storm the city prison, Egyptian state TV reported. Several sources reported that automatic rifles using live ammunition have been shot from the crowd at the scene.

Two police officers have been gunned down outside the prison. There are also reports of civilian deaths in the clashes, as well as dozens of injuries.

The Egyptian Army has been deployed to Port Said to uphold order. The entrances to the port city have been cordoned off.

More than 70 accused are standing trial over the tragedy at the stadium. Among them are nine security officials.

Saturday’s sentences are now to be confirmed by Egypt’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti. The court is to hear the cases of the other accused in early March.

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