Seven Dead, More Than 100 Injured in Egypt Train Collision

At least seven people have been killed and more than 100 injured after two trains collided near the Egyptian city of Giza.

Egypt’s railway authority said the trains were travelling south from Giza and Cairo when they crashed, causing several carriages to derail and tumble down an embankment.

Images from the scene showed overturned carriages as emergency workers and members of the public searched for injured passengers. A major rescue operation was launched.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he had ordered state authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and hold anyone found negligent accountable.

The public prosecutor’s office warned that the death toll could rise. Hospitals in the area were placed on heightened alert to deal with the large number of casualties.

Health Minister Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said injured passengers were receiving treatment for broken bones and head injuries. The Egyptian Red Crescent also provided medical assistance and psychological support to victims and their families.

The ministry confirmed that the driver of one of the trains was among those killed.

According to the railway authority, one train was travelling from Giza to Fayoum when it struck the rear of another service travelling from Cairo to Aswan, which was stationary on the tracks.

Some of the carriages overturned, with images showing the extent of the destruction.

Train services between Giza and Egypt’s Upper Egypt region were suspended while cranes were deployed to remove the wreckage. Authorities have not announced when services are expected to resume.

The collision happened between Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations in Al-Ayyat, near the site of Egypt’s deadliest train disaster.

In February 2002, a passenger train travelling from Cairo to Luxor caught fire, killing more than 370 people according to official figures. Some estimates placed the death toll considerably higher. Two further train crashes in the area in 2009 also killed dozens.

Following the latest disaster, calls were made on Sunday for Egypt’s transport minister to resign.

Foreign governments and officials also expressed condolences and support for the victims.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed solidarity with Egypt and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Turkey’s ambassador to Egypt also offered condolences to the victims, their families and the Egyptian people.