Egypt Daily News – A tragic accident unfolded early Wednesday in Port Said when two heavy transport trucks loaded with cement plunged into the canal from a ferry, leaving three people dead and one seriously injured, according to Egyptian media sources.
Chain of mechanical failures leads to disaster
The incident occurred shortly after the ferry began its short journey across the waterway, carrying two large trucks, one of which was hauling a 120-ton load of cement.
Just 20 meters into the crossing, the brakes of the first truck malfunctioned, prompting the driver to disembark in an attempt to investigate the problem. However, in a critical error, the driver failed to secure the vehicle properly.
Unaware that the ferry was still in motion, and despite warnings from the ferry operator, the driver attempted to reverse the truck likely to prevent further damage. The maneuver backfired catastrophically: the massive load caused the ferry’s safety gate to break open, and the truck tumbled into the water.
Second truck follows amid chaos
Moments later, a second vehicle also rolled off the ferry. The same brake failure appears to have affected both vehicles. In trying to stabilize the situation and repair the brakes, the second truck’s driver was injured, reportedly suffering a severe leg injury, including a double amputation. The vehicle followed the first into the canal.
Rescue and recovery operations
Emergency teams rushed to the scene, including ambulances and divers from the river rescue unit. The injured driver was pulled from the water and rushed to Al-Hayat Hospital in Port Fuad, where he is receiving critical care.
The Suez Canal Authority dispatched heavy-duty cranes to assist in the recovery operation. Both trucks were eventually lifted from the water, but recovery of the deceased victims remains ongoing.
Official response
A formal police report has been filed, and an investigation is now underway to determine the full circumstances of the accident, including whether negligence, mechanical failure, or procedural lapses were to blame.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims, pending notification of their families.
A stark warning about ferry safety
This tragic incident has raised urgent questions about safety procedures on ferries and transport operations in Egypt, particularly regarding vehicle security, load management, and brake inspections on large trucks.
Transport safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of pre-loading inspections and emergency response protocols to prevent such accidents in the future.
