Four killed and 88 injured in train collision near Cairo, President orders investigation

Two passenger trains collided on Sunday in al‑Ayyat district of Giza province, roughly 30‑32 miles south of Cairo. The impact occurred when a train travelling from Giza to the southwestern Fayoum province rammed into the rear of a service heading toward the southern city of Aswan. One of the trains derailed, though officials did not specify which unit was involved.

The Health Ministry reported that four people were killed, including a train driver, and 88 others were wounded. Injured passengers were taken to three hospitals in the Giza area, with up to 72 ambulances dispatched to transport the victims. Emergency crews and cranes were sent to the scene to clear the wreckage and restore rail services as quickly as possible, according to the Egyptian Railway Authority.

Background

Egypt’s rail network, one of the largest in Africa, has a history of serious accidents. The al‑Ayyat area was previously the site of the country’s deadliest rail disaster in 2002, when a fire killed more than 370 travellers. Additional crashes in 2009 also resulted in dozens of deaths. Over the past decade, the government has invested billions of dollars in new highways and high‑speed rail lines, yet much of the older rail infrastructure remains unchanged. In September of the previous year, two freight trains collided in the same district, injuring a driver and his assistant.

Why it matters

The collision affected a significant portion of Egypt’s population, as rail transport is a primary mode of travel for the nation’s 110 million residents. The loss of life and the large number of injuries underscore ongoing safety concerns within the ageing network. President Abdel‑Fattah al‑Sisi expressed “great concern” and extended condolences to the families of the deceased, while directing state agencies to provide medical care, investigate the incident promptly, and hold any negligent parties accountable.

What happens next

President al‑Sisi ordered an urgent investigation into the cause of the crash, tasking relevant authorities to determine responsibility and ensure accountability. The Egyptian Railway Authority indicated that crews would continue clearing the site and aim to resume normal train schedules as soon as possible. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and as hospitals report on the condition of the injured.