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Deadly train collision in Egypt Deadly train collision in Egypt
(about 5 hours later)
At least 20 people have been killed when a passenger train smashed into the back of another train near the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Rescuers have been working through the night to untangle the wreckage of two passenger trains which crashed near Cairo, killing at least 20 people.
The collision left at least 50 people injured, officials said. Officials said at least 50 people were also injured.
Rescue staff were working through the night to pull victims from the wreckage. Some people were said to be trapped under an overturned carriage. The trains collided at Al-Ayyat in Giza, 50km (31 miles) south of the Egyptian capital.
The collision occurred at Al-Ayyat in Giza, 50km (31 miles) south of Cairo, according to a security official. The accident happened when a train heading south towards the town of Fayoum stopped suddenly and a second train ploughed into the back of it.
The official was quoted by AFP news agency saying the trains were on the same track, heading south of the capital. The second train, destined for Assiut in upper Egypt, badly damaged its front carriages on impact, crushing the rear carriages of the train in front.
The accident happened when one of the trains unexpectedly stopped and the second train hit it from behind, he was quoted as saying.
'Deafening screech''Deafening screech'
Eyewitnesses described how the first train made the unplanned stop after hitting an animal.Eyewitnesses described how the first train made the unplanned stop after hitting an animal.
One eyewitness, named only as Mohammed, said: "The train hit a water buffalo. The gas pipeline broke, and the train stalled. The other one came from behind quickly and hit it.One eyewitness, named only as Mohammed, said: "The train hit a water buffalo. The gas pipeline broke, and the train stalled. The other one came from behind quickly and hit it.
"The people at the doors all fell, and people fell beneath the train tread.""The people at the doors all fell, and people fell beneath the train tread."
Resident, Samhi Saleh Abdel Al, told AFP: "I was sat near the road... when I heard a deafening screeching, then shouts and I saw passengers jumping from the train".Resident, Samhi Saleh Abdel Al, told AFP: "I was sat near the road... when I heard a deafening screeching, then shouts and I saw passengers jumping from the train".
Egypt rail network has a long history of rail accidents.Egypt rail network has a long history of rail accidents.
The most deadly occurred at Al-Ayyat in 2002, when a train fire left more than 370 people dead.The most deadly occurred at Al-Ayyat in 2002, when a train fire left more than 370 people dead.
More recently, dozens were killed when a train crashed into vehicles at a level crossing north-west of Cairo in July 2008, and more than 50 died when two commuter trains collided near the capital in August 2006.More recently, dozens were killed when a train crashed into vehicles at a level crossing north-west of Cairo in July 2008, and more than 50 died when two commuter trains collided near the capital in August 2006.
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