Outrage in Egypt after video shows Covid-19 victim's body transported in pickup truck

A shocking video filmed in Egypt's city of Port Said shows medical workers in protective clothing placing the body of a Covid-19 victim in a pickup truck for transport.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

03 April, 2020

Egyptian activists expressed their outrage at the video on social media [Twitter]

A shocking video shared on social media showing the dead body of an alleged Egyptian Covid-19 patient being transported in a pickup truck has sparked outrage in Egypt.

The video, which shows medical workers in protective clothing placing the dead body of a coronavirus victim in a pickup truck, was filmed in the city of Port Said, Egyptian media reported.

The governor of Port Said Major General Adel Al-Ghadban confirmed the incident to local news outlet El Balad.

Major Al-Ghadban said the director of the city's burial association was dismissed, Arabi21 reported.

The director had refused to transfer the coronavirus victim's corpse in one of its regular vehicles, Al-Ghadban said, which prompted one of the region's deputies to conduct the transfer using a pickup truck.

The director of Al-Mabra Hospital, where the patient died, is also under investigation.

Activists expressed their outrage at the video, saying that it violates the dignity of the dead.

Egyptians have raised concern at the procedures being used to deal with coronavirus victims, fearing widespread transmission of the virus unless methods are improved.

As of Friday morning, Egypt had recorded 865 cases of coronavirus and 58 deaths, Arabi21 reported, although many fear the real figures are much larger.

"Honouring the dead means burial, but in the era of Sisi honouring the dead means transporting him in an Arab pickup truck," tweeted exiled Egyptian TV presenter Hossam El-Shorbagy

Warning: The following video contains distressing images

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