In a statement issued following the accident, the Egyptian National Railways Authority (ENR) said the accident occurred at 3:30 pm in the area between Fouka and Galal stations, when train No. 1935 — travelling from Marsa Matrouh to Cairo — veered off the tracks, leading to the overturning of two carriages.
ENR said technical teams and equipment were dispatched immediately to remove the wreckage and restore traffic on the line as quickly as possible.
Rail services on the Marsa Matrouh–Moharram Bek line remain suspended pending clearance of the tracks and the completion of the investigation.
Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport visited the crash site, ordering the formation of a technical committee to investigate the causes of the accident.
He also directed that maximum penalties be applied against those found responsible, including immediate dismissal if negligence is proven.
The Health Ministry reported that 55 of the injured were transferred to Dabaa Central Hospital and 39 to Ras El-Hekma Hospital.
Hospitals treated and released 87 of the injured on Saturday evening, according to the health ministry.
Authorities raised the state of emergency in hospitals across Matrouh and neighboring governorates, deploying additional medical teams to support the treatment of the injured. Health Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar is closely monitoring the response to the incident, according to the Ministry.
The Transport Ministry, represented by the National Railways Authority, extended its condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
An investigation has been launched into the incident.
Dr. Mohamed Farid, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), which oversees insurance activities in Egypt, has directed the Railway, Metro and Highways Accident Insurance Pool to expedite compensation payments to the families of victims and those injured in the Marsa Matrouh train derailment.
Farid stressed the immediate disbursement of compensation, announcing an exceptional increase in the payout to EGP 75,000 for the families of the deceased, up from the standard EGP 30,000.
Compensation for the injured will be determined based on the degree of disability sustained.
According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the number of train accidents rose to 220 in 2024, compared to 181 in 2023 — an increase of 21.5 percent.
The highest number of train accidents was recorded in the central region with 49 accidents, while the lowest was in the East Delta region with 31 accidents, Egypt’s official statistical agency said.
The total number of fatalities in train accidents reached 57 in 2024, while 104 people were injured. In accidents involving individuals on or near the tracks, 727 people were killed and 324 injured in 2024.
In accidents involving railway authority employees, 5 deaths and an unspecified number of injuries were recorded in 2024.
According to e Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the number of train accidents rose to 220 in 2024, compared to 181 in 2023 — an increase of 21.5 percent.
At the regional level, the highest number of train accidents was recorded in the Mid Region with 49 accidents, while the lowest was in the East Delta region with 31 accidents, Egypt’s official statistical agency said.
The total number of fatalities in train accidents reached 57 in 2024, while 104 people were injured. In accidents involving individuals on or near the tracks (“person accidents”), 727 people were killed and 324 injured in 2024.
In accidents involving railway authority employees, 5 deaths and an unspecified number of injuries were recorded in 2024.
Short link: