A section of the police headquarters in Egypt's northeastern city of Port Said has been set ablaze as clashes between security forces and protesters continue in the Suez Canal city.

According to reports, outraged protesters also prevented fire engines from reaching the burning building. On Sunday, thousands took to the streets of the city for the funeral of three people killed in clashes with police.

This comes after at least six Egyptians, including three security forces and three civilians, lost their lives and over 500 others sustained injuries in overnight clashes in the city.

The Egyptian Interior Ministry said in a Monday statement that clashes erupted between police and protesters on Sunday when authorities decided to move nearly 40 prisoners, who are waiting for a verdict over alleged involvement in a fatal football riot in 2012.


The verdict for the 39 defendants is set to be delivered on March 9.

In January, a court in Egypt sentenced 21 people to death for their role in the soccer disaster. The football riot led to violent clashes that claimed the lives of at least 40 people.

Unrest has hit Egypt since a few months ago. Egyptian protesters want President Mohamed Morsi to pursue the goals of the revolution that toppled former dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011.