Op-ed review: Cairo Railway Station accident

Fatma Lotfi
3 Min Read

On Sunday newspaper issues, Egyptian writers paid tribute to the victims of one of the deadliest railway accidents in Egypt, when a locomotive smashed through a buffer stop, killing 25 people and injuring around 50 others including women and children.

Abla Elreweny of Al-Ahkbar daily newspaper questioned about how Egyptian National Railways (ENR) hired a train driver who was previously suspended from work due to his addiction to drugs and his involvement in acts of prostitution. Elreweny emphasised that the latest accident requires revealing the details of all workers in ENR and even all state institutions.

Also in Al-Akhbar, Mohamed Hawary praised Egyptians’ magnanimity in saving victims after the catastrophe took place, as they rushed to rescue those who were caught on fire. Hawary also hailed the response of the government and the prime minister who headed to the accident scene, as well as ambulances and fire trucks.

In Al-Masry Al-Youm, Dina Abdel Karim wrote that though Egyptians have been suffering from terrorism for a long time, they still seem shocked when such accidents took place as if it’s the first one.

Abdel Karim, however, argued that Egypt faces the meanest enemies ever, who failed in their ideological and political battle and come to revenge from the state through taking advantage of such accidents. She maintained that “our battle” is difficult and long and has no red lines.

For Ahmed Selim of Al-Youm Al-Sabaa, a reckless driver or orchestrated act are behind the toppling of dreams of dozens of victims. He noted that Egypt’s railway do not just need developing but even re-establishment. This shall include trains, platforms, locomotives, and above all who will manage the sector.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahram editorial mentioned that Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly informed President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the updates of the accident and condition of the victims. Al-Sisi called on the government to provide citizens with the best services in Cairo’s New Administrative Capital and all new cities to decrease the population inside crowded Cairo and other major cities in the country, it added.

Share This Article
A journalist in DNE's politics section with more than six years of experience in print and digital journalism, focusing on local political issues, terrorism and human rights. She also writes features on women issues and culture.
Leave a comment