A cameraman and Journalist shot and killed in Egypt

A veteran Sky News cameraman has been shot and killed while covering the violence in Cairo, the broadcaster has said.

Sixty-one-year-old Mick Deane had worked for Sky for 15 years. He was married with two sons.

Head of Sky News John Ryley paid tribute to an “experienced journalist” and “much-loved colleague“.

Earlier Egyptian security forces stormed two protest camps in Cairo, with reports of dozens killed.

A state of emergency has been declared in the country after the army and riot police moved to clear the camps, which were occupied by supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi.

‘Brave as a lion’

Deane – who was born in Hannover, Germany – had been part of Sky News’ team covering the clashes with Middle East correspondent Sam Kiley. None of the other team members had been hurt, the broadcaster said.

In a statement Mr Ryley said: “Everyone at Sky News is shocked and saddened by Mick’s death.

“He was a talented and experienced journalist who had worked with Sky News for many years. The loss of a much-loved colleague will be deeply felt across Sky News.”

He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. We will give them our full support at this extremely difficult time.”
Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the journalist on Twitter, saying: “I am saddened to hear of the death of cameraman Mick Deane… My thoughts are with his family and the Sky News team.”

Sky’s foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall described Deane as “a friend, brave as a lion but what a heart… what a human being”.

“He was a friend. Our hearts go out to his family. He died doing what he’d been doing so brilliantly for decades.”

Other former colleagues of the cameraman also sent their condolences with one producer, Neal Mann, saying: “Mick Deane was one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with on the ground. Really helped me in my career, a great guy and brilliant cameraman.”

And Sky News presenter Kay Burley said: “My heart breaks for the family of our friend Mick Deane killed today in Cairo. A true gentlemen. It was an honour to have known him.”

Second journalist killed

Reports suggested a second journalist, 26-year-old Habiba Ahmed Abd Elaziz from Egypt, had also been killed in the disturbances.

Her employer, Gulf news organisation Xpress, said she had gone to her home country on annual leave and had not been working on an official assignment.

“It’s hard to believe she’s gone. She was passionate about her work and had a promising career ahead,” deputy editor Mazhar Farooqui said.
Xpress reported family members saying she was shot at the Rabaa Al Adawiya Square in Cairo.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, 121 journalists and media workers were violently killed around the world in 2012 – one of the trade’s bloodiest years.

The latest deaths came as Egypt’s health ministry announced that around 150 people had been killed in the disturbances, with almost 1,500 injured.

Meanwhile, the British embassy in Cairo announced it was closing to the public for two days amid the violence.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the UK government had been “closely involved” in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

“I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint,” he said.

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said there was “incredible intensity” between the rival groups in Egypt and said political leadership was needed to “broker compromise” and stop the violence.

The Foreign Office also updated its travel advice, warning against all travel to the North Sinai region.

Non-essential travel to the rest of the country should be also avoided, the advice said.

BBC