Egypt Train Accident: Death Toll Rises to 7, 112 Injured in Collision Between Two Trains

The death toll in a collision between two trains in Egypt's Giza Governorate on Sunday has risen to seven, while 112 other people were injured. The information was provided by Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population.

In a statement, the ministry said 45 patients had been discharged from hospitals after their condition improved and they received the necessary treatment. Seven more patients are also expected to be discharged soon. According to a Xinhua News Agency report, the remaining injured passengers are still receiving treatment under medical supervision.

Earlier in the day, the ministry said 72 ambulances were deployed as part of rescue and relief operations. The injured were transported to various hospitals in Giza and the neighbouring Beni Suef Governorate.

According to the statement, Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar directed healthcare facilities in both governorates to strengthen their preparedness and provide all necessary medical and emergency assistance to the injured.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Facebook that he was closely monitoring developments following the accident. He expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

El-Sisi said he had instructed government agencies to ensure medical care for the injured, conduct an immediate investigation into the accident and hold anyone found responsible for negligence accountable.

Earlier, Egypt's National Railway Authority said in a statement that the accident occurred between Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations. A train travelling on the Giza-Fayoum route collided with the rear of another train operating on the Cairo-Aswan route.

Officials said emergency teams and cranes had been dispatched to clear the accident site and remove the remaining train coaches so that services in both directions could be restored as soon as possible.

Egypt's railway network has long struggled with ageing equipment and poor management, leading to frequent accidents. The country's deadliest railway disaster occurred in 2002, when a fire broke out on a Cairo-Luxor train in the Ayat district of Giza, killing more than 380 people.