17-year-old Egyptian girl dies during female circumcision

CAIRO – An Egyptian Health Ministry official says a 17-year-old girl has died while undergoing female circumcision.

Lotfi Abdel-Sameeia told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the girl died of a suspected stroke while under anesthesia during the operation in the city of Suez. Authorities ordered the hospital closed and referred doctors for prosecution after the girl died on Saturday.

Female genital mutilation was criminalized in 2008 but remains widespread in Egypt.

Vivian Fouad, head of the Health Ministry’s anti-FGM program, called the incident a “crime committed by criminals known as doctors. ” She said such operations are usually carried out on younger girls.