Seven Dead and More Than 100 Injured After Two Passenger Trains Collide in Egypt, Sending Carriages Off the Tracks

A devastating train collision in Egypt has left at least seven people dead and more than 100 injured after two passenger trains crashed into each other south of Cairo. The disaster happened on Sunday, November 8, in the Al-Ayyat district of Giza province, triggering a massive emergency response as rescuers rushed to reach passengers trapped inside overturned carriages.

According to Egyptian railway authorities, one train traveling from Giza to Fayoum struck the rear of another passenger service heading from Cairo toward the southern city of Aswan. The impact caused several carriages to derail and overturn near the railway line, leaving twisted metal and wreckage scattered across the surrounding area. Both trains had been traveling in the same direction when the collision occurred.

Egypt’s Health Ministry initially reported that seven people had died and 114 had been injured. The victims included the driver of one of the trains, according to the authorities. Many of those injured suffered fractures, head wounds, bruises and other injuries. Emergency teams deployed dozens of ambulances to transport victims to hospitals across Giza and the neighboring Beni Suef area.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as local residents rushed to help passengers escape from the damaged carriages before emergency workers arrived. Some survivors were pulled from the wreckage by villagers and railway workers, while others remained trapped inside overturned compartments. Heavy machinery and cranes were later brought in to lift damaged carriages and assist with rescue and recovery operations.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ordered an urgent investigation and directed authorities to provide medical care for everyone injured. He also called for anyone found responsible for negligence to be held accountable. Prosecutors arrived at the scene and began examining the circumstances surrounding the collision, including why the Aswan-bound train had stopped on the same track.

The crash has once again raised concerns about safety across Egypt’s railway network, which has experienced several deadly accidents over the years. The Al-Ayyat district itself is associated with one of the country’s worst railway disasters: a 2002 train fire that killed hundreds of passengers. As investigators work to determine what caused Sunday’s collision, families are mourning those lost while many injured passengers continue receiving medical treatment.

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/40959047/train-crash-derails-injures-dozens/