Partial Collapse At Monastery of Saint Fana Kills 3, Injures 4

The wall of an ancient church at the Monastery of Saint Fana, located in the Minya Governate in Upper Egypt, partially collapsed during Sunday Mass on December 1st. The incident resulted in the death of three people and caused four people to be injured, according to a statement released by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

An archeological engineering committee from the Ministry of Antiquities, lead by the head of the Projects Sector at the Ministry Waadallah Abuella, and the head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector Dr. Gamal Mostafa, was sent to investigate the incident.

The Ministry of Antiquities released a statement confirming that the committee will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the church. The Ministry plans to provide the funds that will allow it to take all necessary measures to restore the buildings within the monastery and the surrounding area.

The statement expressed the Ministry's condolences to the families of the victims. The Ministry also reaffirms their commitment to the preservation of Egypt's Coptic heritage, noting that they have recently renovated several Coptic churches such as the Hanging Church in Old Cairo and the Monastery of Saint Pishoy in Beheira.

The Monastery of Saint Fana is one of the first monasteries in Upper Egypt, having been established by Saint Fana in the 4th century AD. It is known as the Monastery of the Cross, due to its abundance of visually stunning crosses inside the church.