Kamel Al-Wazir on the accident of the two Sohag trains: God decreed and did what He willed.. God willing, it will not be repeated - the transport bag is “heavy” and needs more work - the front train was subjected to danger and stopped against its will - the newly developed Tahta control tower He alerted the back train - I met with the assistant conductor of the back train and he said that he did not hear the radio alarm and did not see the smurf signals - ATC technology reduces the speed of trains to 8 kilometers per hour .. and we are forced to adhere to it - Trains will be 25% late than normal time due to our commitment to ATC technology - Ready To be held accountable before the House of Representatives, and I will tell them thank you and see others if my mistake is proven. Yesterday evening, Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Transport, made a lengthy telephone intervention, during which he commented on the Sohag train accident, which resulted in the deaths of 19 people and 185 injured.
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir started his telephone conversation with the journalist Amr Adib, on Saturday evening, stressing that the portfolio of the Ministry of Transport is “heavy” and needs more work. Given that it includes 15 bodies that deserve support in all fields, he added: “I ask all Egyptians to hold my hand and continue to provide support.”
He explained that the Sohag train accident was imminent. Given the state's keenness to continue on both paths of management and development together, he continued: "God willing, this incident will not happen again.. God's destiny and what He wills to do."
He offered his condolences to the families of the victims, confirming his apology on behalf of himself and on behalf of the workers in the railway system to the entire Egyptian people.
• Sohag train accident scenario
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir explained that the Tahta Tower recorded a distress call from the front train No. 157 regarding “pulling the windlass”; Which led to the train stopping suddenly, continuing: “In all train cars there is a red hand of danger; Attracting her leads to a gradual stop of the train, and this is what happened on the front train, and this is not a fault.
As for the back train No. 2011, the Minister of Transport stated that the control tower warned the driver via radio and his personal mobile phone that there was a train in front of him, but the train conductor did not respond. This is left to the investigations of the prosecution, according to the statements of the Minister of Transport.
He said that he met the assistant commander of the back train, called “Abu Al-Hajjaj”, who claimed that he did not hear the warnings from the control tower, and did not witness the warnings of the Smurfs, the yellow color of which means the need to slow down, and the red color indicates the necessity of stopping, indicating that the back train ignored these signals. And the warnings completely, pointing out that the assistant train conductor suffered a shoulder fracture.
He added that the newly developed Tahta control tower recorded the instructions given to the rear train, as well as the repeated call to the driver's name, "O Jamal, Mansour."
• ATC technology
The “minister” recalled one of the railway accidents last November, which saw a court ruling convicting the driver. Because he separated the ATC technology, which would control the train’s speed and stop it if any accidental circumstance occurred, and reduce the train’s speed to 8 kilometers, continuing: “In the Sohag accident, also the driver of the rear train was the ATC separator.”
He indicated that he issued previous instructions regarding abandoning ATC technology in some places; Because it causes slow movement and train delays, he explains: “When there was a delay in trains and their schedules, we sat with the drivers and told them that you are great drivers with experience. In some places where the ATC will stop you, dispense with it and walk at a low speed that enables you to control the train.”
• Is the Sohag train accident repeated?
The Minister of Transport said that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi asked him: Can we complete the system with the same policy? The minister's answer was: "No.. I will not tolerate more bloodshed, and I will not be able to work without ATC technology."
And he stated that he did not consider dismissing the head of the Railway Authority, explaining: “I no longer understand if I dismiss the head of the railway, and I am giving my energy to the country, and I will continue to fight and resist and complete development plans; To serve the country.
• The Minister of Transport is ready for accountability
Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir said that he will go to the House of Representatives after the prosecution has completed its investigations, stressing that he is fully prepared to submit his resignation if it is proven that he was involved in any error, continuing: “I am ready to be held accountable at any time.. There is no limit to accountability, even if I am wrong. I will say thank you, see someone else, and I will submit my resignation to the president.
He stressed that the ministry needs better employment of resources, repeating: "I apologize for the accident...but I will not drive the train."
• Development plan
The Minister of Transport confirmed that the state has allocated EGP 225 billion to develop the railway sector, which extends for a length of 10,000 km. Indeed, the first part of the development has been completed. Which included raising the efficiency of the vehicles and their cleanliness, then the second phase began, which includes the renovation of workshops and slides and the import of new vehicles.
He explained that the development is divided into three main lines: "Cairo-Alexandria", whose development and provision of new control towers is scheduled to end next November, while the "Cairo-Aswan" and "Banha-Zagazig-Port Said" lines are scheduled to be completed in the middle of the year. In 2022, pointing to cooperation with 3 companies in development operations, one of which is Spanish, the second is French, and the last is German, in addition to other Egyptian companies.
The minister stressed his continuation in the development process. Especially with his obtaining all the required financial credits, saying: “I have all the capabilities, but I fight against time. I got 1.5 trillion Egyptian pounds in 10 years, and I will not run away, nor will I be lazy, and under the orders of the Egyptians.”
• His advice to railway workers
The Minister of Transport stated that he stressed to all employees of the Railway Authority that the coming period requires more work, adding: “I told them that the coming period will not sleep, we are all on the signal towers, I do not have time for anyone who wants to help his country with his hand.”
• Continuing electric train projects
The minister expressed his rejection of the statements of some regarding the postponement of the electric train and monorail projects and the interest in developing the railway sector (diesel), stressing the need to keep pace with the times and produce a civilized means of transportation that is compatible with the environment.
He stressed that the people of Upper Egypt have the right to enjoy an advanced electric train, the price of which will be within the reach of the citizen, and it will reach Abu Simbel and Toshka, and then Sudan.
