Clashes Continue In Northern Egyptian Town

April 10, 2008 8:27 a.m. EST

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Over 50 Egyptians were injured in continued fighting in the northern Delta town of Mahalla Al Kubra on Wednesday evening, officials and bloggers reported. The ongoing riots are part of a nationwide strike that was called for April 6 to protest low wages and increasing food prices.

A 45-year-old man who was wounded on Monday during the clashes died on Wednesday as a result of the bullet to the head. He is officially the second person killed during the unrest, although Egyptian bloggers have reported four people killed.

Reports from the town indicate that police fought with around 2,000 demonstrators who gathered in front of two police stations.

Demonstrators trampled and danced on a massive poster of President Hosni Mubarak on Monday, chanting obscenities at the longtime ruler of the Arab world's most populous nation.

At least 150 activists have been arrested since Sunday in the town and around 250 others have been injured in the fighting between demonstrators and police.