A significant accident occurred in western Egypt on Saturday when a passenger train derailed. The incident resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals. Authorities reported that 94 passengers sustained injuries. According to a statement from railway officials, the train was traveling from Matrouh province, located on the northern coast of the country, to Cairo when the derailment happened. Seven of the train’s carriages left the tracks, with two of them overturning.
The Ministry of Health issued a separate statement detailing the casualties and confirmed that 30 ambulances were dispatched to transport the injured to hospitals. The railway officials’ statement also indicated that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the derailment.
Train derailments and accidents are not uncommon in Egypt, where the aging railway system also faces issues related to mismanagement. Last October, a passenger train heading to Cairo was struck by an engine at its rear, leading to at least one fatality and several injuries.
In recent years, the government has announced initiatives to improve its railway infrastructure. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stated in 2018 that approximately 250 billion Egyptian pounds, equivalent to $8.13 billion USD, would be required to comprehensively upgrade the country’s neglected rail network.
