Egypt detains rail staff as inquiry unearths safety failures before deadly crash
Egyptian prosecutors have demanded that two railway employees be detained over alleged failures to monitor signals before a deadly train crash south of Cairo on Sunday. Investigators found that the driver of one of the trains, who died in the crash, had disabled its automatic control system, according to a statement from prosecutors. Additionally, one of the detained employees, a station…
Egyptian prosecutors have demanded the detention of two railway employees following a deadly train crash south of Cairo. The driver of one of the trains had disabled its automatic control system before the collision, according to prosecutors. Additionally, a station controller allegedly altered the signaling log to conceal his failure to carry out his duties.
The findings, announced on Monday, provide the first detailed account of how a train from Giza to Fayoum struck the rear of a stationary Cairo-Aswan train, derailing several carriages and causing seven deaths and over 120 injuries. The crash has sparked horror, anger, and demands for accountability among Egyptians, reigniting concerns over railway safety and the effectiveness of safety upgrades.
Prosecutors have ordered a broader review of railway operations and asked technical experts to examine equipment and staff oversight across the railway authority. The committee will assess the impact of years of safety improvements and investigate any negligence by personnel, including the driver, controller, and stationmaster at Al Riqqa station.
The crash has renewed scrutiny of a railway network plagued by deadly accidents, and Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir has faced calls to resign amid demands for greater accountability.
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