On Monday, October 14, a bus carrying students from Galala University suffered a fatal accident east of Cairo, Egypt. The bus overturned, killing a minimum of 12 individuals and injuring another 33, as reported by the health ministry of Egypt. The accident took place on the Al-Galala highway, a major route that links the capital city to Red Sea coastal towns such as Ain Sokhna.
The students attending Galala University, situated in the hills overlooking the Red Sea city of Ain Sokhna, approximately 80 miles east of Cairo, were returning to their dormitory from classes when the accident occurred. In response to the incident, 28 ambulances were dispatched to the scene to transport the injured to the Suez Medical Complex, according to the health ministry.
As per local media reports, the majority of the fatalities were medical students. Sada al-Balad, a privately owned news channel, reported that initial investigations have suggested that the bus driver was exceeding the speed limit and thereby lost control of the vehicle. The driver is currently in custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
Survivors and eyewitnesses reported a scene of chaos, with the bus flipping multiple times before coming to a stop. “It was a horrific sight; people were trapped inside,” a survivor told Egypt Independent. In response to the incident, social media was flooded with messages of condolence and calls for enhanced road safety regulations.
No details have been provided by the health ministry regarding the condition of the injured. However, emergency services were placed on high alert, and medical teams were dispatched to provide assistance. Condolences to the families of the victims were extended by Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, the Health Minister, and Ayman Ashour, the Minister of Higher Education.
Road accidents in Egypt are a significant problem, causing thousands of deaths each year. As per the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), in 2021, road accidents resulted in the death of 7,101 individuals, a 15.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Factors contributing to these incidents include speeding, deteriorating road conditions, and insufficient traffic law enforcement.
This tragic bus accident occurred just two days after a fatal train collision in the city of Zagazig, northeast of Cairo. Two passenger trains collided on Saturday, leading to the death of at least three individuals and injuring 49 others. Train accidents are also a common occurrence in Egypt due to an outdated railway system and management issues.
The government of Egypt has been making efforts to enhance transportation safety. Over recent years, initiatives have been announced to upgrade the railway network and road infrastructure. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated in 2018 that approximately 250 billion Egyptian pounds (around $8.13 billion) would be required to revamp the rail network.
The World Health Organization is aiding Egypt in developing a national plan for safety promotion and an injury surveillance system to tackle road traffic incidents. The focus of these efforts is on enhancing road safety management, infrastructure, vehicle safety, user behavior, and post-crash response.
Galala University, located in the Suez governorate, is one of the national projects initiated by the government. The university community is grieving the loss of its students, with many expressing their sorrow and solidarity with the affected families.