Human Rights Watch: 297 dead in Egypt uprising

The New York-based rights group says its count is based on visits to hospitals throughout the country; death toll is still expected to rise.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Egyptian man sleeps in tank tracks 311 AP (photo credit: AP)
Egyptian man sleeps in tank tracks 311 AP
(photo credit: AP)
CAIRO  — US-based Human Rights Watch on Monday said at least 297 people have been killed since Egypt's anti-government uprising began two weeks ago.
The revolt against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that erupted on Jan. 25 brought days of fierce clashes with police and intense battles with violent pro-Mubarak gangs.
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The violence has spread to other parts of Egypt and the toll includes a significant number of deaths outside the capital Cairo.
Human Rights Watch told The Associated Press its count is based on visits to seven hospitals in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
Cairo researcher Heba Morayef said the toll is expected to rise.
Egypt's Health Ministry has not given any comprehensive figures on the death toll.