12 Jan 2011

Gunman opens fire on train

10:04 am on 12 January 2011

An off-duty policeman in Egypt has opened fire on a train, killing a Christian.

At least another five people were reported to have been wounded in the shooting on a train between Assiut and Cairo on Tuesday.

Officials said the gunman, who boarded the train at Samalut, has been arrested.

The interior ministry named the gunman as police officer Amer Ashour Abdel-Zaher. No motive has been given for the shooting.

A ministry statement said the officer "opened fire on some train passengers from his pistol and ran away", adding that he was later arrested at his home.

One of those wounded was reported to be the dead man's wife.