Iran Expresses Regret over Cairo Train Derailment

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has expressed regret over the deadly derailment of a train in Cairo's main station, which killed and wounded dozens of people.

Rescue workers put out a fire at the main train station in Cairo on Feb. 27, 2019. / Photo by Reuters

In a Wednesday statement, Qassemi offered condolences to the bereaved families of the victims, and sympathized with the Egyptian nation and those affected by the incident.

At least 25 people were killed and 50 injured after a train smashed into a barrier at Cairo’s main train station, state television and witnesses have said.

Photographs on social media showed clouds of black smoke billowing from the building in central Cairo.

Footage also showed fire engulfing the train and a nearby platform and people rushing to help the injured.

Egypt’s National Railway Authority said in a statement the fire broke out after a train derailed and collided with a concrete barrier at the station, without giving further details.

Security sources told Reuters news agency that there was no indication the crash was deliberate.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.