Sohag train collision
| Sohag train collision | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | 26 March 2021 11:42 a.m. local time[1] |
| Location | Tahta district, Sohag Governorate |
| Country | Egypt |
| Line | Cairo–Aswan Line |
| Operator | Egyptian Railway Authority |
| Incident type | Collision |
| Cause | Intentional Triggering of the Emergency Brakes; Failure to Stop the Following Train |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 |
| Deaths | 32 |
| Injured | 165[2] |
On 26 March 2021, two trains collided in the Tahta district of the Sohag Governorate in Egypt. At least 32 people were killed and at least 165 others were injured.[2][3] The crash took place at relatively low speed which resulted in two carriages being destroyed while a third was overturned. The incident was initiated by 'unknown individuals' who intentionally triggered the emergency brakes; a following train was not stopped causing the collision.[4]
Background
According to The New York Times, "Egypt's creaking railways have a terrible safety record, with deadly crashes, fires and collisions at signal crossings a frequent occurrence." The Egyptian government's statistics have recorded nearly 11,000 accidents on rail lines between 2008 and 2017, including a high of 1,793 in 2017. In 2018, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that the country's government lacked the US$14 billion required to address the rail system's problems.[5]
Incident
The Egyptian Ministry of Transportation has said passengers in the front train, heading from Luxor to Alexandria, pulled the emergency brakes between El Maragha and Tahta stations causing the train to come to a stop, where it was then hit by a second train, heading from Aswan to Cairo, behind it,[1][6] which led to the destruction of two carriages and a third to overturn.[7]
Response
36 ambulances were dispatched to treat passengers.[6]
References
- ^ a b "More than 30 killed as two trains collide in Egypt". CNN. 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Egypt train crash kills 32 people, injures scores". Reuters. 26 March 2021.
- ^ Eustachewich, Lia (26 March 2021). "Dozens killed in horrific Egypt train crash". The New York Post. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "At least 32 dead, 66 injured in train collision in Egypt - report". Jerusalem Post. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ El-Naggar, Mona (26 March 2021). "Trains Collide in Egypt, Killing at Least 32". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Train collision in southern Egypt kills 32, injures 66". www.msn.com. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Egypt: Over 30 killed in passenger train collision". DW. 26 March 2021.
External links
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