On Monday, October 14, a bus accident occurred east of Cairo, Egypt, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 university students and leaving 33 others injured, as reported by Egypt’s health ministry. The mishap took place on the Al-Galala highway, a crucial route connecting Cairo to various Red Sea coastal towns, including Ain Sokhna.
The students were enrolled at Galala University, situated in the hills that overlook the Red Sea city of Ain Sokhna, approximately 80 miles east of Cairo. The accident occurred as they were returning to their dormitories after classes when the bus toppled over. The health ministry dispatched 28 ambulances to the scene, transporting the injured to the Suez Medical Complex.
Initial investigations reported by the private news channel Sada al-Balad suggest that the bus driver was exceeding the speed limit and lost control of the vehicle, leading to the accident. The driver has been detained for further investigation. Most of the deceased were medical students, according to local media reports.
Eyewitnesses recounted a chaotic scene, with the bus flipping over several times before finally coming to a stop. “It was a horrific sight; people were trapped inside,” a survivor told Egypt Independent. Social media was awash with messages of condolence and demands for better road safety measures.
While the health ministry did not provide specific information about the condition of the injured victims, emergency services were put on high alert and medical teams were sent to provide care. Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Minister of Health, and Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education, expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
Road accidents in Egypt are a major concern, taking the lives of thousands each year. Data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) indicates that 7,101 individuals lost their lives in road accidents in 2021, a 15.2 percent increase from the previous year. Factors such as speeding, subpar road conditions, and lax enforcement of traffic laws contribute to these accidents.
This bus crash occurred merely two days after a fatal train collision in the city of Zagazig, northeast of Cairo. On Saturday, a collision between two passenger trains claimed at least three lives and injured 49 others. Train mishaps are also frequent in Egypt, attributable to an outdated railway system and poor management.
The Egyptian government has introduced initiatives to enhance transportation safety, including plans to modernize the railway network and improve road infrastructure. In 2018, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced that an investment of 250 billion Egyptian pounds (around $8.13 billion) would be required to revamp the rail network.
The World Health Organization has been aiding Egypt in devising a national safety promotion plan and an injury surveillance system to tackle road traffic incidents. These efforts focus on enhancing road safety management, infrastructure, vehicle safety, user behavior, and post-crash response.
Galala University, a government’s national project in the Suez governorate, is mourning the loss of its students. The university community has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the families affected by this tragic incident.
