Investigations underway in Egypt after mother kills her two children, throws herself into Nile

Egypt has been rocked by a horrific crime which took place in Giza near Cairo.

A mother killed her two children before attempting to end her life by throwing herself into the Nile, The New Arab’s sister site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, said on Thursday.

Further details regarding the incident reveal that the father returned home from work to see his children killed, and their hands and feet still tied up. He also noticed duct tape and rope next to them.

Later, the father received a call from his wife’s brother, who informed him that she had killed her children, and left the home before trying to end her life.

Security forces and emergency services responded to the crime, with rescuers pulling the mother from the river after finding her still alive.

The mother, who has not been named in reports, was immediately transferred to the hospital to receive necessary mental and physical healthcare, before she was later handed over to relevant security agencies who are investigating the motives behind her crime.

Initial investigations carried out by security services revealed that the woman has confessed to committing the crime, claiming it was due to her being constantly beaten and physically and psychologically abused by her husband, who she alleged was regularly taking drugs.

Initial statements carried by local media reported she said she could no longer bear "life inside this hell," and she felt that "death would be more merciful," for her and her children.

The Public Prosecution Office has since been to the scene of the crime to carry out a preliminary examination, before transferring the children’s bodies to the Zeinhom morgue in central Cairo for forensic examination and to determine the exact cause of death.

The prosecution further ordered the mother to be detained, pending further investigation, and requested a medical examination of her psychological and physical condition.

Relevant authorities are further investigating the husband following the accusations of drug use and abuse.

The crime has prompted widespread calls for a full investigation.