Two passenger trains collided in Egypt’s Nile Delta on Saturday, killing at least two people and injuring 29 others, according to the country’s Health Ministry and railway authorities.
The crash occurred in Zagazig, the capital of Sharqiya province, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Cairo. Egypt’s railway authority confirmed the incident in an official statement, though details on the cause of the collision were not immediately available.
Video footage from the crash site showed a train car crumpled by the impact, with bystanders attempting to extract injured passengers through windows. The extent of the damage to other train cars was not clear from initial reports.
This latest incident adds to a series of train accidents that have plagued Egypt’s aging railway system. The country has struggled with a history of deadly crashes and derailments, often attributed to poor maintenance, outdated equipment, and human error.
In 2018, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced plans to invest 250 billion Egyptian pounds ($8.13 billion) to overhaul the nation’s neglected rail network. Despite these initiatives, accidents have continued to occur.
Just last month, a train collided with a truck at a crossing in the Mediterranean province of Alexandria, resulting in two fatalities. The frequency of such incidents has raised concerns about the effectiveness of safety measures and the pace of railway modernization efforts.
Egypt’s Transportation Minister was not immediately available for comment on the latest crash. However, the government has repeatedly pledged to improve railway safety and infrastructure in recent years.
The country’s railway system, one of the oldest in the world, serves millions of passengers daily. It is a crucial mode of transportation for many Egyptians, particularly in densely populated areas like the Nile Delta.
As investigations into the Zagazig collision begin, questions are likely to arise about the implementation of safety protocols and the progress of announced railway improvements. The incident may renew calls for accelerated reforms and stricter safety measures across Egypt’s rail network.
Authorities have not yet released information about the identities of the deceased or the conditions of those injured in the crash. Emergency services continue to work at the scene, with local hospitals mobilized to receive and treat the wounded.
