Red Crescent responds to train tragedy in Egypt
20 February 2002

Hundreds of Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) volunteers and staff are working round the clock visiting injured passengers in hospital and providing psychological support to victims' families after a fire swept through a Cairo train, bound for Luxor on Wednesday, February 20, killing at least 300 people and injuring some 70.

Teams of volunteers from nine Red Crescent branches situated along the railway route pulled survivors out of the charred remains of seven carriages. After assisting the injured, providing first aid and transporting them to hospital, they are currently helping to identify victims.

The train was packed with people, many of whom were on their way home to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Aïd al-Adha. "This is a major disaster still unfolding", said Abdullah Muhammad Abdullah, from the Relief Section of the Egyptian Red Crescent. He added that victims might include people from nine provinces extending from Al-Jeeza to Aswan. In order to meet an expected influx of shocked victims and family members, ERCS branches in these 9 provinces have established relief committees to meet their needs and set up tracing services. "Operation rooms and committees are working round the clock to deal with the situation in these nine provinces," said Mr. Abdullah. The provinces are Al-Jeeza, Bani Sweif, Al-Minia, Asyoot, Souhaj, Qana, Luqsur, Aswan and Al-Wadi Al-Jadid.

The Red Crescent is also making sure relatives of the dead and injured are receiving psychological support. Teams of ERCS volunteers and staff have already visited three of the seven hospitals where the injured are being treated, distributing assistance to the victims and their families. This includes hospital necessities such as clothes and slippers, food and some cash for immediate needs.

The International Federation has initially released 30,000 Swiss francs from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support the Egyptian Red Crescent relief operation for the victims.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel.: + 41 22 730 4346 / +41 79 217 33 45

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.