18 killed, 30 injured in Egypt deadly crash

CAIRO, Aug. 12 (YPA) – A daily laborers’ trip in Egypt turned into a deadly tragedy on Tuesday on the Al-Dawawis Road in Ismailia province, after two transport vehicles collided, killing 18 people and injuring 30 others.

Egypt’s Public Prosecution said in a statement on Wednesday that the crash was caused by the blowout of the right rear tire of one of the two vehicles carrying the workers. The incident occurred in the Al-Dawawis area within the Al-Qassasin district of Ismailia.

The prosecution confirmed the toll at 18 deaths and 30 injuries, saying it immediately launched an investigation after receiving notification of the crash. A prosecution team inspected the scene, while another team visited the government hospitals where the injured and the bodies of the deceased were taken.

Preliminary investigations found that the tire blowout caused one vehicle to veer into the opposite lane before colliding with the other vehicle, resulting in the high number of casualties. The injured ranged in age from 9 to 50 years.

The prosecution questioned several injured people and their relatives, while 20 injured people could not be questioned because of the severity of their conditions, including the two drivers.

Five injured people were discharged from hospital after their conditions improved, while another five gave statements supporting the preliminary findings on how the crash occurred and declared that they had reached settlements regarding their injuries.

The prosecution ordered permission for the burial of the deceased, appointed a technical engineer to inspect both vehicles and assess their mechanical condition, and ordered samples to be taken from the two drivers to determine whether they had used any narcotic substances.

It also ordered that the remaining injured people be questioned once their health conditions stabilize, while investigations continue to determine all the circumstances and causes of the crash.

The accident occurred Tuesday on Al-Dawawis Road while two pickup trucks were carrying daily laborers. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi followed developments, directing that the injured receive full medical care and that compensation be paid promptly to the victims’ families.