E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSEgypt's president is promising an investigation into a horrific train collision with a school bus in which 49 children were killed. NBC's Mara Schiavocampo reports.
Updated at 10 a.m. ET: CAIRO -- At least 49 people, the vast majority children, were killed when a train crashed into a school bus in a city south of Cairo Saturday, Egyptian police and the governor of the city told NBC News.
Gov. Yahya Taha Kishk said 17 people were injured in the accident in Assiut, which is around 190 miles south of the capital.
Manfalut hospital, near the crash site, told NBC News that the children killed in the crash were aged around four to six years old and attended a private nursery school.
A doctor at the hospital told Reuters that two women were among those injured.
"They told us the barriers were open when the bus crossed the tracks and the train collided with it," doctor Mohamed Samir added, citing witness accounts.
The bus was broken in half by the force of the crash, pictures on youm7.com website, run by an Egyptian newspaper, showed. Blood was spattered on the front of the engine and school bags and text books, some bloodstained, were scattered around the scene.
Officials said the level of destruction and mutilation made it difficult to count and identify the bodies.
"I saw the train collide with the bus and push it about 1 km (half a mile) along the track," said Ahmed Youssef, a driver.
Railway crossing worker asleep
President Mohammed Morsi ordered his ministers to offer support to the families of those killed, Egypt's official news agency reported.
Kishk, the Assiut governor, ordered an investigation and told state television that the railways crossing was open when the train hit the bus.
"The crossing worker was asleep. He has been detained," he said.
Victims' families protested at the scene, the state news agency reported.
Egypt's roads and railways have a poor safety record. Egyptians have complained successive governments have failed to enforce basic safety standards, leading to a string of deadly accidents.
Earlier this month, at least three Egyptians were killed and more than 30 injured in a train crash in Fayoum, another city south of Cairo. In July, 15 people were injured in Giza, close to the capital, when a train derailed.
Egypt's worst train disaster was in 2002 when a fire ripped through seven carriages of an overcrowded passenger train, killing at least 360 people.
Many more have been killed in rail accidents since then despite pledges from successive government to improve safety. Accidents involving multiple deaths are also common on Egypt's poor road network.
NBC News' Charlene Gubash and Reuters contributed to this report.
Reuters
Relatives of victims look at the wreckage of a bus after a train crashed into it in Assuit, Egypt, on Saturday.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Israel bombs office of Gaza prime minister
- Wrongly accused ex-politician vows to sue Twitter users
- Wake-up call for Israel's city that never sleeps
- Cops pull over speeding driver, discover mobile office
- Analysis: Israel strikes old foe amid new realities of Arab Spring
- Images: Stuck behind the scenes as China changes leaders
- As Taliban regroup, victims battle for 'free' Afghanistan
- Analysis: Israel, Gaza slide closer to a war neither side wants
- New 'intelligence' body set to fight trade in world's treasures
- Understanding the beauty of Indonesia's 'Underwater Eden'
Follow World News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
My sincere condolences to the parents and families of these children. A real tragedy, indeed.
Agree.
Just heartbreaking, babies, sent to school, then gone forver. My deepest condolences to their familes.
I would guess the vast majority in America take for granted the advantages and conveniences that our society offers them. We hear complaints because of taxes being pay or tickets given out because of breaking laws.Yet we live in a high degree of safety and know that because of tough industry standards and regulations, we don't need to worry constantly that something will go wrong that might lead to our injury or death. There will still be accidents, but we have taken measures to help cut down on possible injuries in case of man's errors of judgments. It's ironic and tragic that we just had a train accident despite safety measures being in place.
This horrible accident is a reminder of some of the risk people in Egypt live with each day. The stress parents must feel just sending their children to school which we don't worry about.The fragile political freedom those people just won doesn't give them comfort to know they can live a better life daily.Just imagine if we had to watch out for ourselves constantly everyday.
We as a society are so quick to find a lawyer if we have a perceived wrong or want someone else to be responsible for a problem.How on earth do those parents put their lives back together when their beloved children have been taken from them or left disabled because of carelessness of another?I pray help will come to all those involved so they can move forwards, and find peace.
So heartbreaking when children are involved. Perhaps because they represent the better in us. God - there are so many things in US that make life much better through safety and quality of living. Wish the rest of the world adopt these things sooner.
Whatever differences adults may have, it should not stop us for wanting the very best for everyone's kids.
I can only imagine the horror these parents feel. I have a 9 and 11 year old, I prays are with them.
Holy crap! Infrastructure fail! And we are worried about our bridges falling apart.......
proves that egyptians have no regard for human life when things like this happen because the government wont deal with small things like making sure railway crossings work.
rockmebritney,
I suppose we could say the same thing about US government when it comes to infrastructure.
Didn't you three read the article or just post your comment based off the headline.
You got all of that from this? I'll bet you'd quickly replace egyptians with whatever country it happened in unless it was your own neighborhood.
Can we really not remember not THREE days ago when a truck full of war veterans was hit by a train right here in the US? Sheesh, people. Really, what is wrong with you? "egyptians have no regard for human life." "making sure railway crossings work" How about making sure your brain is working before posting here.
rockmebritney, "the government wont deal with small things like making sure railway crossings work"........did you not read the article? It does state that there was a "crossing worker" there. According to Governor Kishk of Assiut, he said, "The crossing worker was asleep. He has been detained." You stated "proves egyptians have no regard for human life when things like this happen"......You are just plain wrong and it appears to me that you have used this tragedy to slam a whole people that you know nothing about. Please tell me about your last visit to Egypt. Additionally we in the USA, as other countries, have had incidents of railway accidents. Yeah, what is wrong with you?
So not true rockmebritney,of course they do.As a matter of fact they may have much more than we.It takes a long time after a state of war and tierney to raise taxes and fees to be able to pay for systems that we indeed take for granted here in the US and yes it is unfortunate.And thats not to say that our systems are perfect either.
Most US railroad crossings were protected ONLY with a cross-buck until the 1960's, even in cities. American automated signals began installation in the late 1950's. Before that time, "protected crossing were either protected from interlocking towers, by live crossing guards stationed in in a shanty on railway ROW (right-of-way), or by remote operators.
While Americans know the deficiencies of our infrastructure, we seem to always want to infer that other countries have followed the same technological path in the same time frame that we have. This simply is not true. American railroads adopted autmatic signalling because American labor was relatively expensive compared to the cost of the equipment, installation and maintenance. Another factor was a shift in liability for rail crossing accidents, with a greater burden placed on railroads to install and maintain crossing signals, or at least to provide longer sight lines. Prior to the 1970's ALL liability for crossing accidents in the US was on the vehicle driver, since the driver was using an easement to cross railroad property. Even today, US vehicles of certain types (buses, school buses, combustible fuel (including gas cylinders) or any vehicle tagged as carrying hazardous goods) must stop clear of ALL crossings, check visually for no on-coming trains from either direction, and insure they have adeguate room ahead to clar the crossing; BEFORE proceeding to cross. That rule applies to even fully signalled crossings. Apparently, the Egyptians do not follow the same rules.
CAUTION! This vehicle stops at all rail road crossings! No... no it doesn't.
Imagine if this had happened in Syria!
The outcry and sadness would have been incredi...................errr nevermind.
I'm really saddened by this. No matter what part of the world it is in it's just horrible when children are involved.
Pray.
Watch TV.
There is no verifiable documentation that shows prayer having raised the dead. Prayer is a waste of time.
Ok Richard, why don't you go do something else then; the sooner the better. Now get along!
Oh Richard you fool. have you ever heard of Faith. And who are you anyway to think God would have to verify anything for you! He dosnt suffer fools...
It is very sad and my condolences go out to them. What disturbs me is my perception that with what is going on in the middle east and especially the latest trouble that NBC chooses to add a report like this. Are they trying to further set a mood or ad emphasis? Do they routinely report on traffic accidents in other countries?
Michael Davis-1241306, You state, "Do they (NBC) routinely report on traffic accidents in other countries ?" Ah Hem......Seems like you are minimizing this incident. WT ?
Yes,as a matter of fact they indeed do.India is famous for them.And China...and he US (the veterans last week.)There should be no minimizing any incident such as this no matter where it takes place in the world.
dave,
Yes. And NBC also reports ferry sinkings in the Phillipines, Indonesia, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. NBC also reports pipeline failures but in the US and overseas. NBC even reports overseas drilling and oil platform fires, blow-outs, and failures. Apparently, Michael Davis believes the only news worth knowing involves bombs, rockets, and intentional killing and malice; rather than real life and accidents.
Should be a universal requirement (not just USA) that passenger carrying commercial vehicles stop at all active railroad grade crossings to look and listen even if signals are not flashing or stop arms down. Then proceed when it is safe to do so only if there is room beyond the grade crossing to accommodate the entire length of the vehicle.
Agreed David. So many lives lost with such a simple solution.
David and Darryl,
I'm sure a several dozen mourning parents would agree. However, from some 5000 miles away, we can't tell if the bus driver would have had an adequate sight distance to safely cross. The "sleeping" guard probably had an alert board or telephone relay to alert him to the approaching train.
This is just terrible, All buses should stop before a crossroad. My heart goes out to the children and their family's.
"These two things will come upon you in one day. The Loss of Children and Widowhood. They shall come upon you in their perfection for the multitude of your sorceries and for the great abundance of your enchantments." Isaiah 47:9 There's weeping in Hell today, for satan just lost some recruits. Pray that they are in a better place.
They're in the ground. That's not a better place.
How horrid and heartless of you. Keep your religion to yourself and show some empathy instead of bleating about useless, so-called "prayer".
Devil; How do you know? Ever been there?
Horrid response to a tragedy Alan. What a compasionate person you are.
Alan, You sound sick fella........really out there.
All children go to heaven regardless of their parents religion. Thank God for another example of his Grace....
50 people -47 children ages 8-10 yrs killed in the train/bus accident in Manfalit city,Assiut governorate-300 km south from Cairo. The Transportation Min. Rashad al-Matiny resigned- an Egyptian Railways worker is being blamed for the acciddent- although one side says the lowered barrier with lights and bells was on (sentry's duty)- and the bus drove straight through- others there was no barrier lowered. It is unfathomable for anyone to lose their children or relatives to preventable accidents. Sympathies for all bereaved ones. In Feb,2002 there was a horrible accident bus/train where people on the train were engulfed by flames rapidly spreading with no way to escape- 360 dead.
So sorry to hear. My heart and prayers go out to all of the families, may they some how find peace.
To bad but why not have news on about what the Fed and Ben are doing to the tax payers in the USA with free money for the banks.
Post this somewhere else paul. This is not the appropriate place for your political agenda.
This tragedy, like many other tragedies that happen in Egypt regularly, was caused by two individuals: the crossing guard who was asleep so he did not close the crossing gate before the train comes, and the bus driver who did not stop before crossing the tracks.
However, the real tragedy in Egypt is that the country is quickly becoming a mad house where the incompetent and charlatans are ruling the country while honest hard working people are gradually being removed from every position of authority!
Egypt sides with the Palestinians in Gaza then this happens. Karma can be a real bitch. Coptic above is so correct, Egypt will join other Islamic countries with no work, no industry and no hope, this is just the beginning of the downfall.
William-360414, You state "Karma can be a real bitch"........"Egypt sides with the Palestinians in Gaza then this happens"........That is an extremely irrational and idiotic perception of this terribly unfortunate accident.
1+2 do not equal Z. Poor logic.
XPW you are literal to the point of delusional autism.
William, lol......Really ? How so ? "Delusional autism"........that is ripe and regal my friend.....lol. Please explain.
William-360414
I am glad that most people here can see how idiotic your first post really is, however in order to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt how dumb it is let me re-word it “America sides with Israel in Gaza and then the recession, BP oil spill, Hurricane Katrina happens, Karma can be a real bitch”
See stupid and really nothing more than an underhanded attempt to say that these people deserved it too which indicates that you're emotionally bankrupt.
YHWH add the vowels.
There is no other God but God the Father and his name can be clearly indicated in Isiah 9 and 53 respectively.
"YAHWEH"
What's my prize? It had better not be a goddamned bible!
Naw, for godless atheist like you, it is easier to go through life saying, we are born, life is a bitch then we die.
So? I didn't ask for your interpretation of my philosophy and it has nothing to do with my prize. Was my question too hard for you?
Can you at least get satan to autograph a pitchfork for me?
dog has a real problem with people who don't believe what he does. He undoubtedly a liberal who is accepting of all things, as long as he agrees with them. LOL
You have the same problem, you dumb snot and you're too stupid to see it! LOL!!!
This liberal would love to see you sold into slavery and worked to death. How does THAT fit in with your stereotype of liberals? Some of us are a lot more like you than you'd care to admit.
And thanks for calling me dog ;-) That was quite a compliment! Dogs have done far more for the benefit of mankind than your sadistic god could ever dream of.
Am I still godless if I'm hindu?
god, your prize is Hell regardless of what you belive. Your beliefs dont change a thing........
American's should go help Egypt with their roadways. We have some of the best infrastructure and best people for the job.
That would be nice, But they just kicked us out saying our volunteers were spys, they held those poor people hostage for a month until they were paid allot of money, if we went back they would possibly behead or hold them for more money. They DON'T think like us I wish everyone would understand that.
How soon when this will become Israel's or Bush's fault here on MSNBC.
Oh, here we go with you idiots spewing political crap from your mouths. I really wish you die hard political junkies would just shut up!!!
My heart just breaks for these parents and relatives of those killed and injured. I only have one question though. Does this country not have horns on its' trains and does any driver of a bus or car not have visual sight of an oncoming train before it even begins to cross the tracks? I just do not know how this could happen even if the crossing gates were not closed or the gate guard was asleep. What a horrible loss that could have been avoided if two people had paid attention, the engineer on the train and the bus driver. The bus driver being the one probably not being able to see due to the enormous amount of people that appears to have been on this bus given the numbers who died and the were injured. May God bless all their souls.
Jacque, unfortunately many drivers in Egypt do not follow any laws, so even if there is a rule that a Bus carrying passengers, especially a school bus, should stop at train crossing, very few drivers will follow such a rule. Given that the train was an express train moving at high speed and again probably the Engineer did not look and/or tried to slow down the train, there was no way to prevent this tragedy.
What happened after that was just as bad, it looks like that the ambulances did not arrive on time, the local hospital could not handle the injuries, and after they were moved to the University Hospital in Assiut there are still shortages in some critical medications which hamper the care of the injured children.
Thats where our aid we send them should be going to...to help with rebuilding infrastructure and utility systems for their people,ALL of their people not bombs for their enemies.This is what real Americans stand for to help prevent tragedies like this from happening.I wish we could get that through peoples heads here too,would help a lot on the jobs front here and over there..
oh my god. Those poor people. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine.
Don't their school buses stop, open the doors, and LOOK to see if a train is coming when the barriers aren't down, like they do in the town I live in? Maybe that is a SAFETY protocol that they should adopt over there so they don't risk losing any more young children.
Sad that these young ones had to pay the price, that probably could have been had the ones RESPONSIBLE, had been....responsible....
Sometimes people cant see,take it for granted that the train has either already crossed or wont cross at that time,etc.Well,maybe commoners will meet and an article for the govt will be written in parliament to make changes possibly?
This is so very sad. I'm so glad our school buses stop at all train crossings to avoid such a disaster. I'm sure it was a lesson we learned earlier the hard way, too.
Inb4 "Conflict in Middle East is part of 2012 Mayan Prophecy/Biblical Prophecy"
Here is an Egyptian media insulting President Mohammed Morsi and the entire Government because they are not taking responsibility calling them all losers.
It is in Arabic though, wish anyone could translated.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh0iQ0yve4s
Get the words out.