Egyptian security forces shot dead at least 70 supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi on Saturday, Muslim Brotherhood claimed, days after the army chief called for a popular mandate to tackle "violence and terrorism".
Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said the shooting started shortly before pre-dawn morning prayers on the fringes of a round-the-clock sit-in being staged by backers of Morsi, who was toppled by the army more than three weeks ago.
"They are not shooting to wound, they are shooting to kill," Haddad said. The death toll might be much higher, he said.
Al Jazeera's Egypt television station reported that 120 had been killed and some 4,500 injured in the early morning violence. A Reuters reporter at the scene counted 36 bodies at an improvised morgue.
There was no immediate comment from state authorities on what had happened. If the death toll is confirmed it would be the deadliest incident since Morsi was deposed, who is under investigation for a raft of crimes, including murder.
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