The Egyptian Minister of Transport Reveals the Reasons for the Train Derailment in Matrouh and Confirms Accountability for Those Responsible
August 31, 2025156 ViewsRead Time: 3 minutes
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In striking statements, the Egyptian Minister of Transport, Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, described the derailment of the Dabaa train yesterday, Saturday, as "strange," confirming that the railway on which the accident occurred is "completely sound," and that the train is "entirely new," denying any subsidence of the ground or collision with equipment.
The accident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, August 30, 2025, resulted in the death of 3 people and the injury of 103 others, after 7 carriages of train number 1935, heading from Marsa Matrouh to Cairo, derailed between the Fouka and Jalal stations within Matrouh Governorate, leading to the overturning of two carriages from the train.
In a phone call with the program "Al-Hekaya" on MBC Egypt, the Minister of Transport clarified that the technical committee assigned to investigate will issue its final report on Sunday, confirming that "the results will be announced with complete transparency," emphasizing: "We will not cover up for anyone, and anyone proven to be involved will face punishment."
* "The carriages separated suddenly after the locomotive"
The minister revealed that the separation of the carriages began from the fourth carriage after the locomotive, for a reason that remains unknown so far, indicating that technical investigations and recordings from the locomotive will precisely determine the cause.
He strongly denied rumors about subsidence on the tracks or the train colliding with a loader, pointing out that "the front locomotive is 100% intact, and there are no signs indicating a collision."
* Immediate Response and Transporting Passengers by Buses
The minister noted that he arrived at the accident site about an hour and a half after it occurred, as he was inspecting a nearby location, and issued directives to transport the approximately 800 passengers via special buses to Cairo and Alexandria, which was indeed carried out.
He confirmed that trains heading to Marsa Matrouh would continue their journeys without delay, explaining that buses have been allocated at the Dabaa station to transport passengers to their final destinations until the removal of the accident's aftermath and the restoration of normal operations on the line.
* Ministry of Health: 3 Deaths and 103 Injured
For its part, the Ministry of Health and Population announced that the number of injured reached 103, who were transferred to the Dabaa Central Hospital and Ras El-Hekma Hospital, where injuries ranged from fractures, abrasions, bruises, and lacerations.
The ministry stated that 87 injured individuals left the hospitals after receiving treatment and stabilizing their conditions, while 6 cases were transferred to Al-Alamein Hospital, and 16 cases remained under observation, including 3 cases in intensive care.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Mohamed El-Tayeb, visited the injured to check on their health status at both Dabaa and Ras El-Hekma hospitals.
* Comprehensive Investigation and Orders for Accountability
The Egyptian National Railways Authority confirmed in a statement issued yesterday evening, Saturday, that the accident occurred at exactly 3:30 PM, indicating the immediate deployment of technical crews and equipment to remove the aftermath of the accident and restore the line's operation.
The Minister of Transport emphasized during his inspection of the site the formation of an urgent technical committee to determine the causes of the accident, reiterating the imposition of the maximum penalty on those responsible, and "the immediate dismissal of any official found negligent."
In conclusion, the minister stated:
"We apologize to every Egyptian who suffered from this accident or had their interests disrupted because of it, and we reaffirm that anyone proven to be involved will face their due punishment."
