Two passenger trains have collided in the southern Egyptian province of Sohag, killing at least thirty-two people and wounding nearly seventy others.
Egypt’s railway authorities and health ministry confirmed that the accident happened on Friday, saying dozens of ambulances have been rushed to the scene.
A health ministry statement issued a short while ago said at least fifty wounded persons have been transferred to nearby hospitals.
The accident happened when someone activated the emergency brakes of a passenger train that was headed to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the railway company said. The train stopped abruptly and was hit from behind by another train.
The collision caused two cars from the first train to derail.
Footages carried by local media showed flipped cars with passengers trapped inside and surrounded by rubble. Some victims seemed unconscious, while others could be seen bleeding.
Bystanders could be seen carrying bodies and laying them out on the ground near the site.
A recent report by the Associated Press says the railway system in Egypt has a history of badly maintained equipment and poor management.
According to official figures, 1,793 train accidents took place across Egypt in 2017 alone.
