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 Arabia Calls for Halting Violations Committed Against Palestinians

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
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Saudi Arabia Calls for Halting Violations Committed Against Palestinians

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission
Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Arabia Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah. Photo: Saudi Mission

Saudi Arabia has denounced all violations committed against the Palestinian people, with the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, predominantly women and children, in the Gaza Strip.

Head of the Human Rights Section at the Saudi Mission to the United Nations in Geneva Asya Baakdah, delivered on Wednesday the Kingdom’s statement during a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, reiterating Saudi Arabia's firm rejection of the tragic situation and stressing the urgent need to put an end to it.

Baakdah highlighted the Kingdom’s hosting of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit, which adopted resolutions showing the unified will of Arab and Islamic nations.

She underscored the summit’s plea for an end to bloodshed, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and the fulfillment of the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to reclaim their occupied territories and establish their independent state.

The diplomat said the Kingdom lauded the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on May 10, backing the eligibility of the Palestinian state for full membership in the United Nations.

Baakdah emphasized Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for actions taken by Norway, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Armenia in acknowledging the Palestinian state, while urging other nations to follow suit with bilateral recognition.

Recognizing the collective duty to actively support the realization of an independent Palestinian state, Saudi Arabia -- in collaboration with its partners in the Ministerial Committee appointed by the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit on Gaza Strip developments, as well as Norway and the European Union -- initiated a global alliance to push for the implementation of a two-state solution. The Kingdom calls upon all parties to join the initiative.