Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Egypt Train Collision

People gather to inspect damaged carriages after two passenger trains collided in southern Egypt. (dpa)
People gather to inspect damaged carriages after two passenger trains collided in southern Egypt. (dpa)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Egypt Train Collision

People gather to inspect damaged carriages after two passenger trains collided in southern Egypt. (dpa)
People gather to inspect damaged carriages after two passenger trains collided in southern Egypt. (dpa)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Friday its condolences to Egypt over the train collision that left dozens of people dead and injured.

The Foreign Ministry offered its condolences to the families of the victims and the leadership, government and people of Egypt.

“Unknown individuals” triggered the emergency brakes on one of the trains causing it to stop, the rail authority said. The second train, which was travelling in the same direction, crashed into the first from behind, it added.

Pictures showed train carriages derailed, several of them badly damaged, above a channel of water, as crowds looked on.

The public prosecutor’s office said it had ordered an investigation into the crash, which took place close to the Nile-side town of Tahta, about 365 km (230 miles) south of Cairo.



Saudi Crown Prince, French President Hold Extensive Talks in Riyadh

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
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Saudi Crown Prince, French President Hold Extensive Talks in Riyadh

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Riyadh on Monday French President Emmanuel Macron.

They held extensive bilateral talks, tackling relations between the Kingdom and France, along with efforts to bolster cooperation in various fields.

They discussed opportunities to invest in available resources in both countries to achieve mutual interests. They reviewed regional and international developments and issues of common concern.

Following the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed and Macron witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the formation of the Strategic Partnership Council between the governments of Saudi Arabia and France.

In this photo provided by the Saudi Royal Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron is welcomed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

The MoU was signed by Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot.

Macron had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday on a three-day visit. He will attend the One Water Summit on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh.

Organized by France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank in partnership with Saudi Arabia, the Summit aims to accelerate action on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and incubate innovative solutions in preparation for the next UN Water Conference in 2026.