7 killed, 112 injured as two trains collide in Egypt; President Sisi orders probe

At least seven people were killed and 112 others injured after two passenger trains collided in Egypt's Giza Governorate on Sunday, prompting President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to order an urgent investigation into the accident and direct authorities to hold those responsible accountable.

The collision occurred in the Al-Ayyat district, south of Cairo, when a passenger train travelling from Giza to Fayoum crashed into the rear of another train heading from Cairo to Aswan. The impact derailed several carriages, triggering a large-scale emergency response as rescue teams rushed to evacuate injured passengers and clear the wreckage.

Egypt's Health Ministry initially reported four deaths and 88 injuries before the toll was revised upwards to seven fatalities and 112 injured.

According to the Egyptian National Railways, the accident occurred between Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqa stations. Emergency crews and heavy machinery, including cranes, were deployed to remove damaged carriages and restore railway operations along the Cairo-Upper Egypt route.

𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population mobilised dozens of ambulances to transport injured passengers to nearby hospitals. Earlier, officials said 72 ambulances had participated in evacuation operations.

Of the initial 88 injured passengers, 49 were transferred to Al-Wasta Hospital, 29 to El-Ayyat Hospital and another 10 to Atfih Hospital.

Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar directed medical facilities in Giza and Beni Suef governorates to increase their preparedness and ensure that all injured passengers received necessary emergency treatment.

Medical authorities continued monitoring the condition of those hospitalised, while emergency personnel worked to remove damaged train carriages and clear the tracks.

The collision also disrupted railway services connecting Cairo with southern Egypt, forcing authorities to arrange alternative transport for stranded passengers.

𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐢 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed concern over the accident and extended condolences to the families of those killed.

In a statement, the Egyptian President said he was closely monitoring developments and had instructed relevant government agencies to provide comprehensive medical assistance to the injured.

He also directed authorities to expedite investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision and ensure that anyone found responsible for negligence faced accountability.

Egyptian prosecutors launched an investigation into the accident, including the technical circumstances that led to the collision. Initial findings indicated that both trains had been travelling on the same track and in the same direction before the crash.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly also reviewed emergency response operations, coordinating with the health, transport and social solidarity ministries to ensure assistance for affected passengers and their families.

𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

The latest collision has renewed concerns over railway safety in Egypt, where deadly train accidents have occurred repeatedly despite government investments in transport infrastructure.

The Al-Ayyat district has witnessed several serious railway accidents, including Egypt's deadliest train disaster in 2002, when a fire aboard an overcrowded passenger train killed more than 300 people.

In September 2026, two freight trains collided in the same district, injuring a train driver and his assistant.

Egypt operates one of Africa's largest railway networks, which serves millions of passengers and remains an essential means of transportation across the country.

Although the government has invested heavily in railway modernisation, ageing infrastructure, maintenance deficiencies and operational failures have continued to raise safety concerns.

Authorities said investigations into Sunday's collision were continuing, while railway personnel worked to restore normal services along the affected route.