Tragic Ferry Accident in Egypt Claims Lives of Nine Women and Children

Cairo, Egypt – In a heartbreaking incident, at least nine Egyptian women and children lost their lives on Tuesday when a small bus, carrying about two dozen passengers, slid off a ferry and plunged into the Nile River just outside Cairo. The tragic accident occurred in Monshat el-Kanater town in the Giza province, one of the three provinces forming Greater Cairo, health authorities reported.

The Egyptian Health Ministry confirmed that nine other passengers sustained injuries. Six of the injured received immediate treatment at the site, while three others were transferred to local hospitals for further care. The extent of their injuries remains undisclosed.

Among the nine deceased, a list obtained by The Associated Press revealed that four were minors, amplifying the sorrow of the tragedy.

Giza provincial Governor Ahmed Rashed reported that the bus was successfully retrieved from the river, and rescue operations continued throughout the day on Tuesday. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Eyewitness reports and local news sources, including the state-owned Akhbar daily, stated that the bus was carrying mostly women heading to work when it slipped off the ferry. The driver of the vehicle has been detained by security forces for questioning.

This incident is a stark reminder of the frequent ferry, railway, and road accidents in Egypt, often attributed to poor maintenance and lack of regulations. Earlier this year, in February, another tragic ferry accident in the Nile River in Giza resulted in the deaths of at least 10 out of 15 passengers, highlighting the ongoing safety concerns.

As rescue teams and local authorities continue to investigate and provide aid to the victims and their families, the nation mourns yet another preventable tragedy. This incident calls for urgent attention to transportation safety standards to prevent future occurrences.

For more updates on this story and other news, stay tuned.