Fifty three people were killed as a result of sporadic clashes that broke out in greater Cairo and a number of other governorates on Sunday during the 40^th anniversary of the October war.

Rival demonstrations were scheduled on the anniversary by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi, who had called for marches to Tahrir Square, where supporters of the army and Minister of Defence Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi had gathered in commemoration of the anniversary.

The Ministry of Health announced 27 were killed in the Giza governorate, 19 in Cairo, four in Beni Suef and one in Minya, state-run Al-Ahram reported, later updating the Beni Suef death toll to six. The ministry also reported 271 injuries nationwide, reported Aswat Masria.

Hisham Abdel Hameed, deputy head of the Forensics Authority and its spokesman, said the Zeinhom morgue received and conducted an autopsy on 30 bodies until time of print. Abdel Hameed added that six more bodies were being registered for autopsies. He stated that the Zeinhom morgue only receives bodies from greater Cairo.

“We don’t have a detailed report on the causes of death,” Abdel Hameed said. “Initial reports suggest most were killed by gunshots; both birdshot and live ammunition were reported.”

The Ministry of Interior announced it had arrested 423 of those who participated in the clashes and “attacked citizens”. In a statement released on Sunday night, the ministry claimed those arrested were in possession of firearms.

The ministry stated that 243 were arrested in Cairo, following clashes that took place in Ramses Street and Al-Galaa Street. In Giza, the ministry added, 180 were arrested while in possession of automatic rifles and birdshot guns, following clashes in Bein Al-Sarayat and Dokki.

Forty-three Morsi supporters were referred to the Public Prosecution in Alexandria on Monday, reported Al-Ahram. They were reportedly accused of injuring 17 residents, sabotaging public and private property, resisting security forces, using violence to terrorise citizens and stalling traffic.

The 43 men were arrested following clashes, which took place between Morsi supporters, security forces and residents. They were reportedly arrested while in possession of anti-army flyers and t-shirts with the Rabaa “R4bia”  slogan, in reference to the pro-Morsi Rabaa Al-Adaweya sit-in, which was dispersed on 14 August, leaving hundreds killed.

Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat ordered an extensive investigation into the violence, which proliferated nationwide on Sunday, reported Al-Ahram.