Skip to main content
/world
  Edition: U.S. | Arabic | Set Pref

Egyptian train hits cars on track, killing 40

  • Story Highlights
  • Forty killed, 50 hurt as Egyptian train slams into cars on the track, police say
  • Truck has slammed into the cars pushing them onto the track
  • Accident happened at city of Marsa Matrouh, 430 km northwest of Cairo
  • Next Article in World »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- A train plowed into three vehicles in a northern Egyptian town on Wednesday, killing at least 40 people and injuring 50, a police official said.

The collision occurred after a large truck slammed into the three vehicles, pushing them onto the tracks, he said.

The train en route from Matruh to Alexandria crushed the cars as it reached the intersection.

The incident took place near the Mediterranean city of Marsa Matrouh, 270 miles (430 kilometers) northwest of the capital, Cairo, the official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Thirty-five people were declared dead at the scene, while five died in a hospital.

Initially, the police said 20 people were killed, but the death toll rose after more bodies were pulled from the wreckage.

Road accidents are common in Egypt due to poor enforcement of traffic laws and bad roads. Police estimate traffic incidents kill about 6,000 people annually.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print
Home  |  Asia  |  Europe  |  U.S.  |  World  |  World Business  |  Technology  |  Entertainment  |  World Sport  |  Travel
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  RSS Feeds  |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNNAvantGo  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.