File Photo: Egyptian medical staff carrying wounded on a stretcher. Photo courtesy of Suez Governorate Media Office.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the crash occurred about 200 meters before the Autostrad tunnel, after the truck driver lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed.
The truck plowed into several cars moving slowly amid heavy traffic, causing multiple vehicles to be crushed and one to overturn, while debris and shattered glass were scattered across a wide stretch of the road.
Ambulances and Civil Protection units rushed to the scene, transporting the bodies to Helwan General Hospital and the injured to Manshiyet Nasser and Maadi hospitals for treatment.
Medical sources said the injuries ranged from fractures and deep cuts to severe bruises, with several victims remaining under intensive care.
Traffic authorities deployed cranes to remove the wrecked vehicles and reopen the highway after traffic was halted for more than two hours due to the severity of the collision.
The area was also searched to ensure no additional victims were trapped beneath the damaged cars.
The Public Prosecution has launched an investigation into the incident and requested a full report from police investigators.
The truck is being examined, and a blood sample has been taken from the driver to determine whether he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.
Police are also reviewing surveillance footage from cameras along the highway to determine the exact cause of the crash.
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