Egypt Protests 2013 News: Death Toll Rises To 638

The death toll in Egypt exceeded 630 people Thursday as violent clashes between supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi and the government continued to rage on. 

The violence in Egypt Wednesday marked the deadliest day in the country since the 2011 uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak, reports the Washington Post. At least 638 people have now been killed, the Health Ministry said, including 43 police officers. Most of the deaths occurred when security forces smashed two pro-Morsi sit-in camps in the capital. In the Nasr City District, 288 people were killed. The Health Ministry added that 3,994 people were also injured.

After the police moved in on the camps, battles erupted in streets across Egypt. Government buildings and police stations were attacked, roads were blocked, and Christian churches were torched, said the Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahimm, who is in charge of national security, reports USA Today.

On Thursday, angry protesters set fire to a two-story villa and a four-story administrative building housing the local government in the neighboring city of Giza. The Interior Ministry countered by authorizing police to use deadly force to protect themselves and state institutions.

Outside the Al-Imam mosque near the other encampment, robust chants against the military and police roared following midafternoon prayers Thursday, amidst chaos and destruction. Parts of the pavement were reportedly torched and several burned-out vehicles sat neglected on roads leading to the area.

Despite calls for restraint, Egypt's Interior Ministry warned protesters that police officers would use lethal force to protect themselves. The ministry also promised to punish any "terrorist actions and sabotage."

"The ministry has given instructions to all forces to use live ammunition in the face of any attacks on establishments or forces within the framework of the regulations of using the legitimate right of self-defense," the ministry said in a statement, according to the NYT. "All the forces assigned to securing and protecting these establishments were provided with the weapons and the ammunition necessary to deter any attack that may target them."