Skip to main content

Why train accidents are so frequent in Egypt

Despite government efforts to develop the Egyptian railway network, train accidents have become recurrent.
People watch as a telescopic railway crane lifts an overturned passenger carriage at the scene of a railway accident in the city of Toukh, central Nile Delta province of Qalyubiya, Egypt, April 18, 2021.

Egypt witnessed April 18 a new train accident after four carriages derailed, resulting in the death of 11 people and the injury of 98 others, according to an official statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Health.

The accident that occurred near the city of Toukh in Qalyubia governorate, north of Cairo, is not the first of its kind, as the Egyptian railways witnessed five accidents over the past three weeks — three of which resulted in casualties.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.