Train collision: 48 school children die in Egypt bus tragedy
State media reported that, in addition to the 50 dead, 15 or more people were injured.
CAIRO:
At least 48 nursery school children and two adults were killed Saturday when a train smashed into their bus in central Egypt, officials said.
All but two of the dead were children, aged around four to eight, said a senior security official in Assiut, near the site. One woman and the bus driver also died, he added.
State media reported that, in addition to the 50 dead, 15 or more people were injured. A medical source said as many as 28 were injured, 27 of them children.
The bus was ripped in half by the force of the crash. Blood was spattered on the front of the engine and school bags and text books, some bloodstained, were strewn across the site.
The bus was taking about 60 children, aged between four and six, on a school trip organised by their nursery.
Witnesses said barriers at the rail crossing were open when the train hit the bus.
Assiut Governor Yahya Keshk also said the crossing was open. The worker manning the level crossing – which had been left open – was asleep when the bus tried to cross the tracks, Keshk said. “He has been arrested, of course.”
Egypt’s Transport Minister Rashad al Metini stepped down after the tragedy, saying he “accepts responsibility.”
President Mohamed Mursi offered his condolences to the families.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2012.
At least 48 nursery school children and two adults were killed Saturday when a train smashed into their bus in central Egypt, officials said.
All but two of the dead were children, aged around four to eight, said a senior security official in Assiut, near the site. One woman and the bus driver also died, he added.
State media reported that, in addition to the 50 dead, 15 or more people were injured. A medical source said as many as 28 were injured, 27 of them children.
The bus was ripped in half by the force of the crash. Blood was spattered on the front of the engine and school bags and text books, some bloodstained, were strewn across the site.
The bus was taking about 60 children, aged between four and six, on a school trip organised by their nursery.
Witnesses said barriers at the rail crossing were open when the train hit the bus.
Assiut Governor Yahya Keshk also said the crossing was open. The worker manning the level crossing – which had been left open – was asleep when the bus tried to cross the tracks, Keshk said. “He has been arrested, of course.”
Egypt’s Transport Minister Rashad al Metini stepped down after the tragedy, saying he “accepts responsibility.”
President Mohamed Mursi offered his condolences to the families.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2012.