Nine killed in Regional Ring Road crash as infrastructure concerns mount

Daily News Egypt

19 hours ago

Nine people were killed and 11 others injured on Saturday in a head-on collision between two microbuses along Egypt's Regional Ring Road in Monufeya, the latest in a series of deadly accidents fuelling concerns over deteriorating road infrastructure.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Population confirmed that 18 ambulances equipped with advanced medical tools were dispatched to the crash site, located on the highway section connecting Cairo to the Alexandria Desert Road. The injured were transferred to El-Bagour Specialised Hospital for emergency treatment.
Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered maximum emergency readiness in nearby hospitals and instructed that psychological support be provided to survivors and to the families of the deceased.
Preliminary investigations suggest one of the microbuses veered into the opposite lane, resulting in a head-on collision—a pattern reminiscent of a similar tragedy two weeks earlier, in which 18 young women from Kafr El-Sanabsa were killed when a speeding truck struck their vehicle on the same road.
Deputy Health Minister Mohamed El-Tayeb, who was sent to the scene, confirmed the availability of all necessary medical supplies, including medications, equipment, and blood units. He has been tasked with preparing a detailed report on the victims' conditions and the quality of care administered.
Originally designed to ease traffic congestion in Cairo and improve connectivity between Upper Egypt and Delta, the Regional Ring Road has instead become a flashpoint for fatal crashes, particularly in neglected stretches such as those in Monufeya.
In response to growing public outrage, Minister of Transport Kamel Al-Wazir announced last week that a comprehensive upgrade of the 152-kilometre road had begun. Speaking during a visit to a previous crash site, Al-Wazir said that development work is currently underway on 110 kilometres, with the remainder to be completed in subsequent phases.
He estimated that raising the road to modern safety standards would require at least EGP 50bn in investment. The annual budget of the General Authority for Roads and Bridges ranges from EGP 25-30bn, with a further EGP 7-10bn earmarked for maintenance.
Despite the government's pledges, critics argue that poor lighting, inadequate safety barriers, and the absence of road signage continue to make the Regional Ring Road particularly hazardous. Monufeya residents describe it as a daily risk, especially for commuters and labourers travelling between rural villages and nearby cities.
According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt recorded 5,260 road traffic fatalities and over 76,000 injuries in 2024—an increase of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Daqahleya reported the highest number of injuries.
As fatalities on the Regional Ring Road continue to rise, public calls are growing louder for the government to accelerate safety upgrades and tighten regulation of transport operations.
The Ministry of Health reiterated its commitment to working alongside state agencies to provide comprehensive medical and psychological support, and extended its condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.