Egyptian President Orders Probe After Truck Crash Kills 18 Agricultural Workers
A collision in Ismailia governorate has claimed the lives of at least 18 people, predominantly children aged 10 to 14, prompting state intervention and raising questions about road safety protocols for informal workers.
At least 18 individuals have died and approximately 30 others were injured following a collision involving a pick-up truck in the Al-Dawawis area of Ismailia governorate. The victims were agricultural labourers, with medical sources confirming that the majority of the deceased were children between the ages of 10 and 14.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has directed authorities to launch an investigation into the incident, which occurred on a link road on Tuesday. In response to the tragedy, the Ministries of Social Solidarity and Labour have committed to providing financial assistance to the families of those killed and to the injured workers.
Egypt’s Ministry of Health reported a total of 47 casualties resulting from the crash. The victims were transported to a hospital in the nearby town of El-Kassasin. A medical source speaking to AFP stated that most of the fatalities were 13 and 14 years old, with the youngest victim recorded as being 10 years of age.
Local security sources identified the workers as residents of two villages in Sharqiya governorate who were employed at a farm in Ismailia. The incident underscores the reliance on pick-up trucks as a primary mode of transport for informal workers seeking employment across the country.
The crash occurs against a backdrop of rising road safety concerns in Egypt. According to the country’s state statistics agency, road fatalities and injuries have increased by more than 10 percent. Official figures indicate that children under the age of 15 have suffered the highest toll from such incidents, while at least 1.3 million minors are engaged in child labour nationwide.
