In brief
A train derailment in Egypt has left three dead and 103 injured, prompting an investigation by the transport ministry and the Egyptian National Railways Authority. Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdul Ghaffar visited the scene and expressed condolences for the victims. The incident occurred near the Marsa Matruh region as the train was traveling to Cairo, illustrating ongoing concerns about railway safety in the country.
Three people have been killed and 103 others injured after a train derailed while en route to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, according to the country’s health ministry.
The train, traveling from the coastal city of Marsa Matruh, derailed on Saturday when seven of its carriages came off the tracks, with two of the carriages overturning.
Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdul Ghaffar conveyed his condolences and prayers to the families affected by this tragic incident and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
The transport ministry and the Egyptian National Railways Authority (ENRA) have launched an investigation into the cause of the derailment, which is still unclear.
The ENRA stated that accountability measures would be taken against anyone found responsible for the incident, and efforts are being made to clear the wreckage and restore services promptly.
The derailment took place on a section of track between the Fouka and Jalal stations in the Marsa Matruh region.
Dr. Abdul Ghaffar personally visited the crash site to oversee the emergency response and later checked on the injured at local hospitals.
All injured passengers were transported to two local hospitals by ambulance as per the health ministry’s reports. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to public prosecutors.
Train accidents are alarmingly frequent in Egypt, attributed largely to inadequate maintenance and insufficient investment in railway infrastructure. One of the worst rail disasters happened in 2002, claiming more than 370 lives due to a fire aboard a train south of Cairo.
