At least 27 people were killed and 34 others injured when a goods train crashed into a pickup truck and a minibus carrying family members returning from a wedding party at a ‘faulty’ level crossing early on Monday.
The accident took place in Giza as railway workers blamed faulty equipment and negligence for the crash.
Two watchmen at the crossing told Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website that the manual alarm bells and warning lights for approaching trains were out of service.
The train driver said he had sounded warning bell dozens of times for the crossing to be closed.
At least 27 people were killed in the collision that also injured 34 others, with some in critical condition, Health Ministry officials said.
The train, which was travelling at 50 km per hour when the accident took place, came to a halt 1 km beyond the crossing, the driver said.
The two watchmen, the train driver and his assistant are currently being interrogated.
Initial investigations have shown the crossing lacked chains to prevent vehicles crossing the track, but the alarm lights were functioning properly.
In addition, the watchmen were not at the scene when the accident took place, contrary to their own account, investigators said.