Egypt's President Sisi Orders Probe into Train Collision

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding a deadly train collision in the country's Minya province. The crash, which occurred on a rural stretch of track near the village of Al-Raqqa, involved two trains, one traveling from Giza to Fayoum and the other from Cairo to Aswan. According to reports from the public prosecutor's office, the incident resulted in 7 fatalities and 125 injuries.

President Sisi expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. In a post on his official Facebook page, the President emphasized his close monitoring of the situation and directed state authorities to provide necessary medical care to the injured. He also instructed the relevant agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and hold accountable anyone found to have been negligent.

The train collision occurred in the early hours, prompting a swift response from emergency services. A team of prosecutors was dispatched to the scene to begin an on-site investigation. The public prosecutor's office announced that a technical committee would be formed to determine the cause of the crash and identify any potential shortcomings in operating procedures or safety measures.

Following the incident, Egyptian authorities swiftly mobilized to respond to the crisis. The Egyptian Ministry of Health reported that 72 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals in the districts of El-Ayat and Al-Wasta. The condition of 71 patients has since improved, allowing them to be discharged.

The Egyptian government has taken steps to support those affected by the tragedy. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli was instructed to ensure that all necessary care is provided to the injured and their families. The Ministry of Solidarity has also announced that compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased and those injured.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the severity of the damage to the trains. The Egyptian Railway Authority and Civil Protection teams deployed emergency equipment, including cranes and electric saws, to clear the wreckage and extract trapped passengers. Local residents also participated in the rescue efforts.

The investigation into the train collision is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events leading up to the crash. Key points of focus include determining the cause of the incident and whether there were any lapses in safety protocols.

Key points

• 7 people were killed and 125 injured in the train collision near Al-Raqqa village.
• President Sisi directed an immediate investigation into the incident and ordered state authorities to provide necessary medical care.
• The public prosecutor's office formed a technical committee to determine the cause of the crash.