Egypt’s Alexandria governorate bans flying of kites

CAPE TOWN — Egypt’s Alexandria governorate has banned the flying of kites, citing safety reasons, while a member of parliament has said the pastime poses a national security threat.

According to a report by Arab News, Egyptian police have seized 369 kites in Cairo and fined five people in the northern region of Alexandria.

Alexandria governor Mohamed Al Sharif issued the directive on Thursday, banning the flying of all types of kites on beaches in the coastal city, writes Daily News Egypt.

He said the ban was brought in “to ensure the safety of citizens after a number of accidents” involving kites in the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, Khaled Abu Taleb, a member of parliament’s defence and national security committee, said last month that he wanted Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly briefed on the dangers of kites as they might be equipped with surveillance cameras and therefore posed a national security threat, wrote Arab News.

Daily News Egypt confirmed that those above 18 years of age or the parents of minors found flying kites will face a fine of between 300 and 1,000 Egyptian pounds ($18 to $62).

According to a report, member of parliament Faika Fahim addressed Madbouly and Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy on the spread of kites and their dangers to car drivers and children. 

The MP called for the ban on kites to be applied across Egypt and for the awareness campaign highlighting their dangers to be intensified, said Daily News Egypt.

Last week a 12-year-old girl in Alexandria died after she fell from the 17th floor of a building while flying a kite. 

Earlier in June, a high school student was electrocuted and died in Menoufiya governorate, also while flying a kite.