Train collision in Egypt kills at least 80

Train collision in Egypt kills at least 80
QALYOUB, Egypt - Chaos occurred in Cairo after two passenger trains collided with each other killing at least 80 and injuring 150 at a Nile Delta town north of Cairo.

QALYOUB, Egypt - Chaos occurred in Cairo after two passenger trains collided with each other killing at least 80 and injuring 150 at a Nile Delta town north of Cairo.

Though the exact figures are sketchy, a security official said that as many as 80 people were killed and 163 were injured. The Egyptian minister of health put the death toll at 36. The accident occurred at 7.45am local time when one of the drivers ignored the signal and rammed into another train in the rear.

The train from Mansoura was traveling at a speed of almost 80 kph when the accident occurred. About 25 ambulances rushed to the spot and health officials have urged the public to donate blood. This accident was the first in six months after another accident in February early this year. Though there were no casualties, about 20 people were injured in that accident.

The official news agency MENA reported only 26 dead, while pan-Arab Al Jazeera satellite television said at least 65 died. The accident occurred after the driver of one train ignored signals and rammed into the rear of the other train, which was on the same track. A Reuters photographer revealed that one train appears to have derailed after the collision, while the other is split into four parts.