Seven Killed, 125 Injured in Train Collision in Egypt's Al-Ayyat

A collision between two passenger trains in Al-Ayyat, Giza governorate, south of Cairo, resulted in seven fatalities and 125 injuries on Sunday. According to Egypt's health ministry, the incident involved train number 134, a Tahya Misr service from Giza to Fayoum, which collided with the rear of train number 2010, traveling from Cairo to Aswan. The Egyptian National Railways reported that several carriages left the tracks, but did not provide a cause for the accident.

Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar stated that 72 ambulances participated in the evacuation efforts, with hospitals receiving 132 cases. Al-Wasta Central Hospital treated 87 patients, including three of the deceased, while Al-Ayyat Central Hospital received 34 patients and Atfih Central Hospital received 11 patients, including four of the dead. The health ministry reported that most of the injured suffered from bruises and abrasions, while others had fractures to the limbs, pelvis, and spine, as well as head and facial wounds, and chest and rib injuries.

By late Sunday, 71 people had been discharged from hospitals, while 11 were transferred to Beni Suef University Hospital and Beni Suef Specialised Hospital for further treatment. A total of 43 patients remained under observation in hospitals: 23 in Al-Ayyat, 13 in Al-Wasta, and seven in Atfih. Deputy health minister Amr Kandil visited the injured patients to assess their condition and provide support.

In response to the incident, Islam Azzam, chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority, ordered the insurance pool covering railway and metro accidents to expedite payments to the victims' families. Compensation for deaths and total permanent disability was raised from EGP30,000 to EGP50,000 as an exception. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly offered condolences to the families of the deceased and directed officials to provide them with full support.

The railway authority deployed emergency teams and cranes to clear the wreckage and restore services on the Cairo-High Dam line in both directions. This incident recalls a previous deadly rail disaster that occurred in Al-Ayyat in February 2002, when a fire swept through an overcrowded train traveling from Cairo to Upper Egypt, killing over 360 passengers.

Rear-end collisions have recurred in Egypt, with a similar incident occurring in March 2021 near Sohag, resulting in 18 fatalities and 200 injuries. Prosecutors later ordered the arrest of eight railway employees in connection with that incident. The authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the latest collision.

The incident has prompted an outpouring of support, with officials and emergency responders working to provide aid to those affected. The Egyptian government has a history of taking measures to improve railway safety and provide compensation to victims of accidents.

Key points

• Seven people were killed and 125 injured in the train collision.
• Compensation for deaths and total permanent disability was raised to EGP50,000.
• The incident recalls a previous deadly rail disaster in Al-Ayyat in 2002.