16°c Clear
25°c Variable cloudiness
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Train slams into school bus; 48 children killed
Books and school bags are strewn along the tracks near Assiut, in southern Egypt, where a speeding train crashed into a bus carrying children to their kindergarten Saturday. (MAMDOUH THABET / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
ASSIUT, Egypt -- A speeding train that crashed into a bus carrying Egyptian children to their kindergarten on Saturday killed 51 and prompted a wave of anger against a government under mounting pressure to rectify the former regime's legacy of neglect.
The crash, which killed children between four and six years old and three adults, led to local protests and accusations from outraged Egyptians that President Mohammed Morsi is failing to deliver on the demands of last year's uprising for basic rights, dignity and social justice.
The accident left behind a mangled shell of a bus twisted underneath the blood-splattered train outside the city of Assiut, some 320 kilometres south of Cairo. Children's body parts, their books, schoolbags and tiny socks were strewn along the tracks.
Um Ibrahim, a mother whose three children were on the bus, pulled her hair in grief. "My children! I didn't feed you before you left," she wailed in horror. A witness said the train pushed the bus along the tracks for nearly a kilometre.
As one man picked up pieces of shattered limbs he screamed: "Only God can help!" More than a dozen injured children were being treated in two different facilities, many with severed limbs and in critical condition.
Several hours after the accident, Morsi appeared on state television, promising an investigation and financial compensation for victims' families. His transport minister and the head of Egypt's railways resigned.
"Those responsible for this accident will be held accountable," Morsi said.
The response, his critics say, comes too little too late. For months, transport workers have been complaining about poor management and poor working conditions. Saturday's accident falls exactly one week after two trains collided south of Cairo, killing four people.
While many train accidents in Egypt are blamed on an outdated system that relies heavily on switch operators instead of automated signalling, the high death toll and fact that nearly all those killed were young children will likely give ammunition to Morsi's critics who say he has done little to improve life for ordinary Egyptians.
Opposition activists have accused Morsi of continuing the mistakes of his predecessor by not overhauling government services. They say he is too focused on foreign policy while moving slowly to tackle a myriad of domestic problems.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 18, 2012 A4
More World
- Back to Top
- Return to World
More World
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Transgender candidate could become a first in NYC, but he says focus is on inclusion - for all
1:23 AM 0
Poll
Most Popular World
- Man recovering in hospital after surviving plunge from 15th floor apartment in New Zealand
- Britain's Prince Philip leaves hospital 10 days after abdominal surgery
- Red Cross, Norway raise questions about Canada bill banning cluster bombs
- No sign of Hoffa after first day of search for union boss' remains in suburban Detroit field
- Putin tells Obama their positions don't coincide on Syria, but both want to stop violence
- Court date Monday as philanthropist Astor's son, 89, seeks to avoid prison after losing appeal
- Boston woman pays $560,000 for 2 parking spots during auction held by IRS
- Shipwreck of La Salle's Griffin found?
- Former BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall sentenced to jail for 15 months in sex assaults
- Miss Utah latest beauty queen to botch answer, elicit cringes across web
- Deck collapse at popular Miami-area sports bar during NBA Finals game sends dozens into water
- Bear whose head had been stuck in a plastic jar for at least 11 days is rescued in central Pa.
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- Boston woman pays $560,000 for 2 parking spots during auction held by IRS
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
- Father of Snowden's girlfriend says he's 'shocked' by news; says daughter is 'holding on'
- Soldiers, horses parade through London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's birthday
- Man recovering in hospital after surviving plunge from 15th floor apartment in New Zealand
- Jiroemon Kimura, world's oldest person and oldest man ever, dies in Japan at age 116
- Mandela's daughters visit father on 4th day in South Africa hospital; doctors do all they can
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- Massive tornado roars through Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51
- Brave woman tried to calm London attackers and reasoned with them before police came
- Woman who reported baby in sewer is his mom; was present at rescue
- Mother says Boston suspect now walking; father of Chechen man FBI shot says he was 'executed'
- SC woman who murdered 4 in family brought them together to pray before killings
- Search for survivors of Oklahoma tornado nearly complete, as homeowners confront devastation
- Man shot to death in Fla. while being questioned in Boston Marathon bombing investigation
- 3 veteran storm chasers killed while pursuing storm as it swept into Oklahoma City area
- Police: US driver drove drunk while having sex, crashed, hid behind cactus
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- Having a senior moment?
- Bear whose head had been stuck in a plastic jar for at least 11 days is rescued in central Pa.
- No sign of Hoffa after first day of search for union boss' remains in suburban Detroit field
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- Uncle Sam is Big Brother
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
- Having a senior moment?
- Rare comic book featuring Superman's debut found in walls of Minn. home sells for $175,000
- Don't like spies? Here are some ideas for keeping your data safe from snoops
- Minnesota man lied about Nazi past
- Books can influence growth of brain
- US woman training for half-marathon discovers runner's pain actually surprise baby girl
- Vietnam court sentences 4 men to prison for arranging 2 illegal voyages for would-be migrants
- Drowning doesn't look like drowning
- Bridge collapse survivor who fell in river: 'You hold on as tight as you can'
- Police: US driver drove drunk while having sex, crashed, hid behind cactus
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Uncle Sam is Big Brother
- Phone cracked? Cool
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Woman who reported baby in sewer is his mom; was present at rescue
- Beavers attack people in Belarus, fisherman dies of bite wounds after trying to pose for photo
- AP IMPACT: Commander in Nazi SS-led unit linked to atrocities living in Minnesota
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.