On Sunday, 8 November 2026, a major rail disaster occurred in Egypt near the town of El Ayyat in the Giza Governorate, south of Cairo. Two passenger trains collided, killing at least seven people and injuring a further 112. This was reported by Reuters, citing the Egyptian Ministry of Health.
Initially, the authorities reported four fatalities and 88 injured, but the death toll later rose. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered an immediate investigation into the causes of the accident and that those responsible for any negligence be held to account.
- On 8 November, two passenger trains collided in the province of Giza in Egypt.
- According to the latest figures, at least 7 people have died and a further 112 have been injured.
- A train on the Giza–Fayoum route collided with the last carriage of the Cairo–Aswan train.
- Following the collision, several carriages derailed; rescue workers are at the scene.
- The President of Egypt has ordered an investigation into the crash, and the public prosecutor’s office is determining its technical causes.
How the train crash in Egypt happened
According to the Egyptian National Railways, passenger train No. 134, which was travelling from Giza to Fayoum, collided with the rear of train No. 2010 on the Cairo–Aswan route.
The collision took place on the stretch of track between the stations of Kafr Ammar and Al-Raqqah, in the El-Ayyat area. As a result of the impact, several the carriages derailed.
According to preliminary findings from the inspection of the accident site, both trains were on the same track and travelling in the same direction before the collision occurred. The Associated Press reports, citing the public prosecutor’s office, that the Cairo–Aswan train was stationary at the time of the collision.
Among the dead is one of the members of the locomotive crew. Some of the passengers were trapped inside the damaged carriages.
How many people have been affected, and what is known about their condition?
According to the latest figures from the Egyptian Ministry of Health, 72 ambulances have been deployed to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
The injured were taken to three hospitals: 72 people were taken to Al-Wasta Medical Centre, 33 to El-Ayata Hospital and a further seven to Atfih Hospital.
Medical staff recorded fractures of the limbs, pelvis and spine, head and facial injuries, chest contusions and other injuries.
As of the evening of 8 November, 45 of those affected had already been discharged from hospital after their condition had improved. A further seven were preparing to be discharged, whilst the rest continued to receive treatment under medical supervision.
The President of Egypt has ordered an investigation into the causes of the accident
President Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi He expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed state bodies to ensure that those affected received the necessary medical care.
The Head of State also ordered an urgent investigation to be carried out and for all those found guilty to be held to account.
The Egyptian Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the technical circumstances of the collision. Investigators are to determine why two passenger trains ended up on the same track and whether safety regulations were breached.
Meanwhile, the emergency services are using specialist equipment and cranes to clear away the damaged carriages and debris. The work is being carried out to restore services on the Cairo–Upper Egypt railway line.
According to Reuters, the railway authority has not specified an exact date for the full resumption of services.
This is not the first railway accident in the El-Ayyat area. In September 2026, two freight trains collided here, injuring the driver and his assistant.
As of the evening of 8 November, seven deaths and 112 injuries had been confirmed. Investigators are determining the causes of the collision, whilst railway staff continue to work on the damaged section of track.
