On Saturday, a serious train accident occurred in western Egypt. A passenger train derailed, leading to the loss of at least three lives. The incident resulted in injuries to 94 passengers, according to official reports. Railway authorities confirmed that the train was traveling from Matrouh province on the northern coast towards Cairo when it derailed. Seven carriages left the tracks, and two of those overturned.
The Ministry of Health issued a separate statement that detailed the casualties, stating that 30 ambulances were dispatched to assist in transporting the injured to hospitals. Railway officials also stated that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the derailment.
Train derailments and accidents are relatively common in Egypt, where the railway system faces issues related to age and mismanagement. Last October, a passenger train heading to Cairo was hit by an engine at the rear, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries.
The government has announced plans in recent years to upgrade the railway infrastructure. In 2018, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi estimated that approximately 250 billion Egyptian pounds, or $8.13 billion USD, would be necessary to properly modernize the country’s rail network.