Update: Death toll in Alexandria train crash reaches 41, injuries rise to 132

The death toll of Friday’s train crash has reached 41 deceased civilians. One hundred and thirty two of the injured are still receiving medical care while 46 others have been discharged, according to a statement made by the Health Ministry on Saturday.

The injured were moved to several hospitals around Alexandria, including Miri hospital, Smouha hospital, Gomhouriya hospital, Ras Eteen hospital and Moustafa Kamel Armed Forces hospital. Twelve of those wounded are currently in intensive care units but the remaining are in stable condition, said ministry spokesperson Khaled Megahed.

Mostafa al-Sayyed, an advisor to the minister of transportation, also died later on the scene of the crash after falling into a coma at the sight of the victims.

Express train number 13 collided with the back of train number 571 in the Khourshid district, both of which were heading towards Alexandria and originating from Cairo and Canal city in Port Said respectively. The impact overturned train number 13’s first carriage and the last two carriages on train 571, according to a statement by the Railway Authority.

The deceased were moved to Kom al-Dikka morgue, Sadr al-Maamoura morgue and Ras Ettin morgue in Alexandria.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail ordered Alexandria governorate’s hospitals to be on high alert.

Public Prosecutor Nabil Sadek announced on Saturday the creation of a new committee made up of seven entities, including the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, the Military School Consultancy, and the Administrative Control Authority. The committee will investigate the cause of the collision.

The committee is also set to evaluate the viability of the railway, its signalling system, and the physical conditions of the two trains and their operational systems. The drivers’ adherence to protocol will also be investigated.