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August 14, 2013updated 15 Aug 2013 1:15pm

Sky News cameraman Mick Deane killed in Egypt

By Press Gazette

A Sky News cameraman is one of two journalists reported to have been killed in Egypt this morning.

Mick Deane, 61, was shot while covering protests in Cairo.

Gulf News reporter Habiba Ahmed was also killed during violent clashes in the Egyptian capital.

The killings took place as Egyptian security forces attempted to clear two protest camps occupied by supporters of former president Mohammed Morsi.

According to reports on the BBC, witnesses claim to have seen “at least 40 bodies”, while the Muslim Brotherhood has said that the death toll is now in the hundreds.

Deane was working with Sky News Middle East correspondent Sam Kiley who has been reporting from inside Rabaa al Adawiya protest camp in Cairo. Kiley talked about coming "under very heavy gunfire" and said the camp was facing a "massive military assault on largely unarmed civilians in very large numbers".

Riot police attack a protest camp in Cairo (Source: Reuters)

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Sky News said in a statement: "It is with the greatest regret that Sky News announces the death of Mick Deane, an experienced camera operator, while working on assignment in Cairo this morning.

"Mick was part of a Sky News team reporting on the disturbances in the city with Middle East Correspondent Sam Kiley when he was shot and wounded. Despite receiving medical treatment for his injuries, he died shortly afterwards. None of the other members of the Sky News team were injured in the incident.

"Mick, aged 61, was a hugely experienced broadcast journalist. He had worked with Sky News as a camera operator for 15 years, most recently across the Middle East and previously in the United States. He was married with two sons."

Head of Sky News John Ryley described Deane as "the very best of cameramen, a brilliant journalist and an inspiring mentor to many at Sky".

He added: "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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family. We will give them our full support at this extremely difficult time.”

Born in Hanover, Germany, Deane later moved to Northamptonshire. He had been based in Jerusalem since 2011.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I want to say how sorry I am about the death of Mick Deane.

"It is an incredibly brave and important job he was doing. It is essential that cameramen are in places like Egypt because otherwise none of us would know what is happening. But obviously our thoughts should be with his family and friends at this very, very difficult time for them."

Channel 4 News reporter Matt Frei said on Twitter: "So shocked and sad to hear that my old friend Mick Deane has been killed in Cairo. Great friend, great cameraman. He survived cancer."

Speaking on Sky News, its foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall said he was "a gentleman".

He said: "Yeah, he was a cameraman-journalist but more than anything the guy was funny, he was wise, he kept his counsel, when he gave his counsel it was well worth listening to and he was just a guy you liked being around.

"That's pretty high tribute".

He added: "Micky Deane was a great cameraman, but he was – which is far more important – a great human being."

Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the use of force against protesters opposed to the army and said he was "deeply concerned" about the escalating violence.

He said: "The UK has been closely involved in intensive diplomatic efforts directed at reaching a peaceful resolution to the stand-off. I am disappointed that compromise has not been possible.

"I condemn the use of force in clearing protests and call on the security forces to act with restraint. Leaders on all sides must work to reduce the risk of further violence. Only then will it be possible to take vital steps towards dialogue and reconciliation."

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