A train derailment in Egypt has left three people dead and 103 others injured, as confirmed by the Egyptian health ministry. The incident occurred while the train was en route from Marsa Matruh, a northern coastal city, to the capital, Cairo.
Seven of the train's carriages derailed on Saturday, with two carriages overturning entirely. Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdul Ghaffar visited the scene to supervise emergency responses and offered condolences to the victims' families while wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
The transport ministry in coordination with the Egyptian National Railways Authority (ENRA) has initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the derailment, which remains unidentified. In a statement, the ENRA vowed that anyone found accountable for the derailment would face penalties.
Technical teams have been deployed to clear the wreckage and restore railway services. The derailment happened on a section of track between the Fouka and Jalal stations.
Dr. Abdul Ghaffar noted that the injured are being treated at two local hospitals, while the bodies of the deceased are now with public prosecutors. Railway accidents in Egypt occur frequently, raising concerns about maintenance and funding of the railway system. Notably, one of the most catastrophic train incidents in Egypt took place in 2002, resulting in over 370 fatalities when a fire engulfed a train traveling south of Cairo.
