On Saturday, August 30, 2025, Matrouh Governorate in western Egypt experienced a tragic accident when a passenger train en route from Marsa Matrouh to Alexandria overturned. According to the latest data from the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the number of casualties rose to 3 deaths and 103 injured, after initial reports indicated only 54 injured.
Medical and emergency response
Under the direction of Dr. Khalid Abdul Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, an immediate contingency plan was implemented that included:
• Raising the level of readiness in the area hospitals.
• 30 ambulances equipped to transport the injured and provide first aid.
• Transfer the injured to the central Dabaa and Ras al-Hikma hospitals for necessary treatment.
• Medical teams continue to evaluate health conditions and provide the needs of blood and its derivatives.
The injuries varied from fractures, abrasions, cuts and bruises, and 87 patients left the hospital after receiving treatment and stabilizing their health.
Official investigations and action taken
For its part, the Ministry of Transport revealed the details of the incident, confirming that the train No. 1935 (Russian air-conditioned) from Matrouh to Cairo was subjected to the exit of seven cars from the tracks and the coup of two cars between the stations of Fouke and Jalal in Kilo 203 near the corner of the buoy and Swany Jaber, due to a landing in the railway 510.
The Ministry immediately moved with the technical crews and equipment necessary to lift the effects of the accident and restore the movement on the line as soon as possible. Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, went to the scene of the accident and directed the formation of a technical committee to find out the causes and impose the maximum penalty on those responsible and immediately dismiss those found guilty.
The role of families and rescue efforts
Eyewitnesses reported that a number of the train's carriages overturned after derailment, necessitating the intervention of local residents who rushed to help and rescue passengers along with ambulance and rescue teams.
This tragic incident reflects the importance of strengthening safety measures in the rail transport system and emphasizes the need for rapid emergency response and integration of efforts between government agencies and the local community. The Egyptian authorities continue their investigations to find out the full causes of the accident and take the necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such tragedy in the future.
