Train Collision South of Cairo Results in Fatalities and Injuries

On Sunday, two trains collided in Al-Ayyat, south of Cairo, resulting in seven fatalities and at least 125 injuries, according to the Chief Prosecutor’s office. The crash involved a train traveling to the southwestern Fayoum province colliding with the rear of a stationary train heading to Aswan.

The Health Ministry reported that more than 70 of the injured were treated and released. The collision occurred approximately 52 kilometers from Cairo, in the Giza province, as per the Transportation Ministry’s statement. Officials noted that the Giza-Fayoum train struck the last car of the Cairo-Aswan train.

“Train derailments and crashes are common in Egypt due to historical mismanagement and poor maintenance,” stated the officials.

Witnesses like Ayman Gamal, a local resident, recounted how nearby residents rushed to the site, assisted in evacuating survivors, and called ambulances. Gamal mentioned seeing around 80 injured individuals transported to local hospitals.

Outside al-Wasta Central Hospital in Beni Suef province, survivors described the overwhelming dust and shock among passengers. Farha Gamal, a passenger on the Fayoum train, noted how some cars were severely damaged, with passengers struggling to escape.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called for a swift investigation into the incident. Emergency teams are working to clear the wreckage and restore train services. The Egyptian Railway Authority has dispatched cranes to assist in the recovery efforts.

This collision follows a similar incident last September in the same district when two freight trains crashed, causing injuries to the driver and assistant. Egypt’s deadliest train accident occurred in 2002, claiming over 300 lives due to a fire on an overnight train.