Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A devastating train accident occurred in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, around 3:30 PM. The incident involved a derailment of seven cars from Train No. 1935, which was traveling from Matrouh to Cairo, between the Foka and Jalal stations in the governorate. The derailment led to the overturning of two carriages, resulting in the tragic deaths of three individuals and injuries to 94 others.
According to the Egyptian National Railways Authority, the accident happened due to a track failure that caused the train to lose its balance. The derailed train was part of the “Russian Air-conditioned” fleet and was expected to continue as Train No. 1936 from Mahram Bek to Cairo. The accident took place at kilometer 203, near the coastal town of El-Dabaa, between the villages of Zawiyat El-Awama and Swani Jaber. Residents of the nearby areas rushed to the scene to assist the passengers, while emergency teams were immediately dispatched.
The train, which had been traveling on the Matrouh-Mahram Bek route, faced track subsidence, which caused the derailment. Rescue teams, along with cranes, were quickly mobilized to lift the derailed carriages back onto the tracks, allowing for the resumption of train services. The incident led to significant disruption, and engineers were working to resolve the track subsidence issue to ensure the safety of future train movements.
Minister of Transport’s Response
The Egyptian Minister of Transport, Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, is closely following the developments of the accident. He has ordered an immediate technical investigation into the causes of the derailment and directed urgent support to restore train operations as quickly as possible. In addition to overseeing the recovery efforts, the minister expressed his condolences for the lives lost in the tragedy and called for a comprehensive report to be delivered urgently.
Support for Victims and their Families
The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population reported that the number of injured had risen to 94, in addition to the three confirmed deaths. Emergency services transported 55 injured individuals to the El-Dabaa Central Hospital, while 39 others were taken to Ras El-Hikma Hospital. The ministry has mobilized all available medical staff and resources to ensure the best possible care for the victims, raising the alert level in hospitals across Matrouh and neighboring provinces.
Solidarity and Aid Efforts
Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsi, also extended her condolences to the families of the deceased and expressed her full support for the injured. Dr. Morsi instructed the Central Administration for Social Protection to coordinate with the Matrouh Directorate of Social Solidarity and the Egyptian Red Crescent for emergency relief operations. The ministry has pledged immediate support for the victims and their families, including the disbursement of compensation in coordination with charitable organizations and social support agencies.
In her statement, Dr. Morsi also emphasized the government’s commitment to providing the necessary resources for the recovery process, and she extended heartfelt sympathy to the victims’ families, praying for their patience and for a swift recovery for those injured.
Public Outrage and Ministerial Accountability
The public’s response has been one of both shock and anger over the tragic event, with many questioning the state of the country’s railway infrastructure. In a statement following the accident, Minister El-Wazir vowed to hold those responsible for the incident accountable, emphasizing that every effort would be made to prevent such occurrences in the future.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Egypt’s aging railway system, which has witnessed a series of accidents in recent years. Despite efforts to modernize the network, the latest incident raises serious concerns about the safety of Egypt’s rail infrastructure and the capacity of the Ministry of Transport to ensure the safety of passengers.
As investigations continue and recovery efforts are ongoing, the families of the victims are receiving support from both the government and local communities, while the nation awaits a full report on the cause of the disaster and the steps that will be taken to prevent future tragedies.
