Seven Killed, 112 Injured as Two Trains Collide South of Cairo

At least seven people were killed and 112 injured on Sunday when two passenger trains collided in Giza province south of Cairo, Egypt’s Health Ministry said.

The crash happened in the Al-Ayyat district of Giza province, between the Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations. The Egyptian National Railways Authority said a train traveling from Giza to Fayoum struck the rear of another train heading from Cairo to Aswan. The second train had stopped on the tracks, and both were traveling in the same direction. Several carriages came off the rails, and images from the scene showed overturned carriages and rescue work under way.

More than 70 ambulances were sent to the scene, and casualties were taken to three hospitals. The Health Ministry said 45 of the injured had been discharged after treatment. Prosecutors later gave a slightly different provisional count of seven dead and 114 injured, saying the count was still being checked. The driver of the Giza-to-Fayoum train was among those killed, according to prosecutors. The Health Ministry said injuries included fractures to limbs, pelvises and vertebrae, and wounds to the head and face.

Investigation under way

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered an urgent inquiry and said anyone found responsible through negligence would be held accountable. Transport Minister Kamel al-Wazir visited the site. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into the carriages, the tracks, and operating and safety procedures. No cause for the collision has been announced.

Egypt’s railway system, the oldest in Africa and the Middle East, has a long history of deadly accidents, according to CNN. A train fire at Cairo’s main station in 2019 killed 25 people, and a collision near Alexandria in 2017 killed more than 40. Al-Ayyat has also seen deadly rail accidents in the past.

Reporting based on coverage by CNN and Afro News.