1 person dead and multiple injured in fireworks explosion at Mohamed Ramadan concert in Egypt

One person is dead and multiple others are injured after a fireworks display malfunction at a Mohamed Ramadan concert Thursday night in a resort town on the north coast of Egypt.

One of the fireworks canisters exploded the moment Ramadan came out on stage at the Porto Marina Theater, killing a member of the show’s technical team responsible for operating the fireworks, according to Egypt’s semi-official newspaper Al Ahram. The incident also injured at least six people, per the outlet’s English counterpart.

Ramadan, an Egyptian actor and musician, posted a video statement to his Instagram about the incident, extending his condolences to a victim he called “Hossam.” Al Ahram identified the victim as Hossam Abdel Moneim, a 24-year-old graduate from Ain Shams University who worked in party planning and special effects for over a decade.

“I extend my condolences to the family of Hossam, may God have mercy on him and grant him a place in his spacious paradise,” Ramadan said in the video. “And grant patience to his loved ones, and his friends, and heal those who were injured.”

Ramadan said that he stopped the concert immediately after he saw what had happened.

“I handled it like any human would, I went down to the audience and I helped get the injured to the ambulance,” he said. “And I stopped the concert, and helped guide people so that their departure doesn’t cause any crowd surge or additional accidents.”

Ramadan did not identify the victim beyond a first name, but alluded in his statement that the victim was working during the concert.

Videos depicting the incident began circulating on social media shortly afterwards. One video shows Ramadan performing as an explosion go off near the stage. Seconds later, Ramadan can be heard saying “Stop, stop, stop!” before the music comes to a halt.

Another video shows people in the audience carrying the body of a man who appears to be injured or deceased. Ramadan, who can be seen on the stage, is heard speaking into the mic, instructing them to bring the body on stage.

The incident is being investigated by Egypt’s Public Prosecution Office, according to Al Ahram.

Ramadan has been gaining international recognition in recent years, releasing songs with French Montana, Future and Gims. His song, “Rayheen Neshar – Bum Bum” began going viral on TikTok in 2020.

The artist posted to his Instagram that he will be performing again on Friday at another venue on Egypt’s north coast.