Seven people were killed and at least 125 others were injured Sunday, November 8, 2026, when two passenger trains collided south of Cairo. The crash occurred in the al-Ayyat district of Giza province, approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles) from the Egyptian capital.
According to the Transportation Ministry and the National Railways Authority, a train traveling to southwestern Fayoum province struck the rear of a stationary train on the same track that was heading toward the southern province of Aswan. The impact mangled several carriages and caused derailments. Investigators from the Chief Prosecutor's office reported that the collision involved the Fayoum-bound train hitting the last car of the Cairo-Aswan train.
The Health Ministry confirmed that the train's conductor was among the seven fatalities. As of late Sunday, medical officials reported that between 45 and 70 of the injured had been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment. Emergency teams used cranes to clear the wreckage, while local residents assisted in pulling survivors from the mangled cars.
For passengers, the immediate impact includes the suspension and rescheduling of transit services on a primary north-south rail artery. Families of the deceased and the injured will face immediate medical and funeral costs, while survivors reported experiencing psychological shock and physical distress from dust and debris. The crash sets a precedent for the effectiveness of recent government modernization initiatives aimed at upgrading aging equipment and management practices.
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has ordered a prompt investigation to determine if negligence played a role and has directed that medical assistance be provided to all victims. Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir visited the site Sunday to oversee the recovery operation. The Chief Prosecutor's office has not yet announced a timeline for the completion of the formal investigation or the filing of any potential charges.