CAIRO (AP) — A tragic train collision occurred south of the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuring nearly 90 others. The incident took place in the al-Ayyat district of Giza province, located approximately 52 kilometers (32 miles) south of Cairo. According to the Transportation Ministry, the accident transpired when a train en route to Fayoum province collided with the rear of another train that was traveling towards Aswan province. One of the trains reportedly derailed, although details on which train was affected have not been disclosed.

The Health Ministry confirmed that a total of four fatalities were recorded, alongside 88 individuals suffering injuries from the incident. The injured passengers have been promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention and treatment.

In response to the calamity, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi conveyed his condolences and ordered an immediate investigation to determine the causes of the crash and to hold those accountable for the tragedy. His call for accountability seeks to address the safety concerns surrounding railway operations in Egypt.

The Egyptian Railway Authority has deployed emergency teams and cranes to the scene to facilitate the clearing of wreckage and to restore regular train services as quickly as possible following the incident. This quick response emphasizes the urgency in ensuring the stability of the regional transportation infrastructure.

This latest crash adds to a troubling history of rail accidents in Egypt. Just last September, two freight trains collided in the same al-Ayyat district, resulting in injuries to the train driver and assistant, highlighting persistent issues with railway safety in the region.

As authorities work to address the aftermath of this collision, the spotlight remains on the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure improvements to prevent future tragedies in Egypt’s rail system.