Cairo official death toll passes 500

The move comes a day after security forces broke up the Brotherhood's protest camps, leaving hundreds dead.

Brotherhood members had been protesting for weeks about the army's overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July.

The government says 525 died nationwide on Wednesday, but the final toll is likely to be significantly higher.

Scores of bodies have not been registered, because the official count only includes bodies which have passed through hospitals, BBC News reports.

The BBC's Khaled Ezzelarab has reported seeing at least 140 bodies wrapped in shrouds at the Eman mosque, close to the main protest camp at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square. These will not have been counted in the official toll.

The Muslim Brotherhood insists that more than 2,000 people died. It says 300 bodies were taken to the Eman mosque, and other bodies were taken to sports halls.

Reports speak of disputes between bereaved relatives and officials entrusted with documenting the causes of death.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the main source of Mr Morsi's support, had called for marches on Thursday, both in Cairo and Egypt's second city, Alexandria, to protest against Wednesday's deaths.

After attempting to storm the building housing the local government in Giza - Cairo's twin city on the west bank of the Nile - the protesters were repelled by police, according to state television.

Local TV footage showed two buildings burning, and firefighters evacuating employees.

State-run Nile News TV also reported clashes between Muslim Brotherhood members and residents in a suburb of Alexandria.

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