A CHILD star from The Voice Kids has revealed her agony over losing relatives in a horror church blaze that killed 41 people.
Miretya Emad told her social media followers that the fire at the Coptic Christian Abu Sefein Church in Imbaba neighbourhood of Giza killed six of her family members, including three young children, on August 12.
Egyptian artist Miretya Emad lost six family members in the Abu Sefein church fire accident in Imbaba, Giza[/caption]
The singer revealed of the six who died, three were young children[/caption]
Renovation works have begun at the burned Abu Sifin church after a deadly electrical fire broke out during Sunday Mass[/caption]
Miretya’s three adorable relatives Parthenia Tamer, Myriam Tamer and Abram Tamer died in the blaze[/caption]
The 17-year-old star’s aunt Magda Nabih Habib and cousins Irene Atef and Mirna Atef perished in the blaze.
Tragically, the fire also cut short the lives of Irene’s three children Parthenia Tamer, Myriam Tamer and Abram Tamer.
In a social media post on 15th August, Miretya wrote: “With Christ, which is far better. Remember us before the throne of grace.
“I now have six saints in heaven.”
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The singer’s fans have been commenting with their messages of condolences.
Officials believe the devastating fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
They said most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation, as well as a stampede that ensued when smoke and flames blocked the church exit.
The church was packed for Mass at the time of the blaze and at least 15 children have been counted among the dead.
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Survivors even jumped from the church windows in their desperate bids to escape the burning building.
An official investigation into the incident is underway.
‘PEOPLE WANT TO JUMP’
One distraught witness, Abu Bishoy, said: “Suffocation, suffocation, all of them dead.”
One congregant, Emad Hanna, said the church includes two places used as a day care for children, and that a worker managed to get many of the youngsters out.
He said: “We went upstairs and found people dead.
“And we started to see from outside that the smoke was getting bigger, and people want to jump from the upper floor. We found the children.”
Shocking pictures show the horrific aftermath of the blaze, with the inside of the church completely burnt.
Yasir Munir, a worshipper at the church, told of the chaotic scenes as people frantically tried to get out.
He said: “People were gathering on the third and fourth floor, and we saw smoke coming from the second floor.
“People rushed to go down the stairs and stared falling on top of each other.
“Then we heard a bang and sparks and fire coming out of the window.”
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He and his daughter were on the ground floor and managed to escape uninjured.
Miretya Emad first made a name for herself when she took part in The Voice Kids in 2018.
The Egyptian artist Miretya Emad with a family member who died in the fire[/caption]
At least 15 children have been counted among the dead, including Miretya’s relatives[/caption]
