Egypt has deployed extra police and troops to the central al-Minya province after a dispute between two Christian and Muslim families sparked deadly sectarian clashes.

A curfew has been imposed on the town of Abū Qurqās after a dispute between the two families over the building of a speed bump turned into clashes between the town's Muslims and Christians that left two Muslims dead.

Furious Muslim residents then went on the rampage on 20 April burning homes and shops owned by Coptic Christians. Calm has been restore in the town, but the situation remains tense.