CAIRO — At least seven people were killed and more than 100 others were injured when two trains collided Sunday south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, authorities said.
The crash occurred in al-Ayyat district in Giza province, about 32 miles south of Cairo, when a train traveling to the southwestern Fayoum province crashed into the rear of a train heading to the southern province of Aswan, according to the Transportation Ministry. One of the trains derailed, it said, but did not specify which.
There were 72 ambulances deployed to the scene to help transport victims to three different hospitals in the area, according to the health ministry.
The Health Ministry initially said that four people were killed but increased the death toll to seven later in the day.
At least 112 others were wounded in the crash and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, it said. The most common injuries reported were bruises, fractures and lacerations, the ministry said, and at least 45 people have already been discharged.
“The Ministry extends its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery,” it said.
Al-Ayyat is located near the Nile River in the south of Giza, which is the province that is famous for being home to Egypt’s ancient pyramids.
People gather at the site where a passenger train derailed in Al-Ayyat, Giza, Egypt, on Sunday.STR / AP
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in a social media post that he ordered a prompt investigation into the crash to hold those responsible accountable.
Emergency teams and cranes were dispatched to the scene to clear the wreckage and restore train services to their normal schedule as soon as possible, the Egyptian Railway Authority said.
Last September, a train driver and his assistant were injured after two freight trains collided in the same district.