The Egyptian Center Mourns Victims of Saray El-Qobba Factory Fire and Renews Call to Enforce Occupational Safety and Health Standards

The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims who lost their lives in a fire at an unlicensed garment factory in the Saray El-Qobba area, El-Zeitoun district, Cairo, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire broke out in a facility not designated or adequately prepared for industrial activity, in the absence of occupational safety and health requirements. The site was characterized by narrow passageways and the presence of a single, inadequate exit, which significantly impeded the evacuation of workers and delayed their escape. This occurred alongside the rapid accumulation of dense smoke, leading to cases of asphyxiation that resulted in fatalities and injuries. Obstacles at the entrance to the premises further hindered evacuation efforts and exacerbated the human toll.
Investigations further revealed that the factory was operating without a license within a residential area. Moreover, the nature and configuration of the premises were incompatible with intensive industrial use, significantly increasing the risk of disaster. This reflects a clear deficiency in the regulatory oversight of industrial activities and heightens the severity of consequences when such incidents occur.
The incident underscores the direct correlation between the operation of unlicensed industrial facilities and the absence of safety standards, on the one hand, and the scale of human losses resulting from such incidents, on the other, necessitating urgent action to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.
Accordingly, the Center renews its call for:
The determination of full criminal liability for the operation of an unlicensed factory and the absence of safety requirements, and the accountability of all those found negligent or complicit in endangering the lives of the victims, alongside a comprehensive survey of similar facilities within residential areas and the adoption of immediate measures in respect thereof.
A comprehensive review of occupational safety and health standards in factories located within residential zones, particularly with regard to the number of exits, the width of passageways, and the prohibition of a single exit in labor-intensive activities.