Egypt train crash: reports say ‘signal missed’

22 Aug, 2006 05:56 / Updated 18 years ago

Fifty-eight died and up to 150 were injured as two trains collided in northern Egypt early on Monday. As investigations opened into the cause, media reports said the driver of one train apparently missed a signal, causing it to plough into the back of ano

Reports said the head of the state railway authority had been dismissed over the incident and that his deputy had been suspended. The government promised compensation for families of the dead at around $860 U.S. dollars and around $173 for the injured. This is the third railway incident in Egypt this year. In2002, a carriage fire killed up to 370.