According to Egyptian Railway Authority (ERA), a collision took place between passenger train No. 281, travelling from Zagazig to Ismailia, and passenger train No. 336, travelling from Mansoura to Zagazig, near Block 5 in the city of Zagazig.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Population said more than three dozen ambulances were dispatched to the site of the collision.

More than two dozen injured individuals were transported to Al-Ahrar and Zagazig University hospitals, added the health ministry.

Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir and senior ERA officials rushed to the site of the accident, according to the ERA.

Minister El-Wazir ordered the deployment of emergency equipment and cranes to carry out rescue operations.

El-Wazir also ordered the formation of a committee of railway specialists to investigate any technical causes behind the collision, added the ERA.