At least 29 people were killed and around 37 were injured in a fire that broke out on the evening of 5 September in a theatre in Beni Suef, Egypt.

Some of those killed are believed to have died in the stampede to get out of the packed theatre while some survivors are suffering 80 per cent burns.

The fire reportedly occurred when an actor accidentally knocked a candle over onto a set made out of paper bags. The flames quickly spread from the stage to the auditorium.

The play was part of an experimental theatre festival and around 100 people were in the audience.