On February 26, 2024, a ferry transporting day laborers capsized in the Nile near Egypt’s capital resulting in the death of 10 of the 15 passengers on board, according to law enforcement officials. The incident happened just outside Cairo.
The tragedy occurred in the vicinity of Monshat el-Kanater, a town in Giza, where concerns about ferry safety have been a recurring issue. The laborers were en route to a local construction firm when the ferry sank.
The Ministry of Manpower confirmed in a statement that five survivors were taken to a hospital, treated, and discharged in stable condition. It also announced a financial compensation package for the victims’ families, offering approximately $6,466 to those who lost a loved one and around $646 to each survivor. The exact reason behind the ferry’s sinking remains undisclosed.
Rescue operations to recover the victims’ bodies spanned several hours. Local media outlets broadcasted footage of the ongoing search operations. Giza, part of the Greater Cairo area, is often the site of transportation-related accidents, mostly due to poor maintenance and lack of proper regulation.
This incident is the latest in a string of accidents involving transportation in Egypt. In 2022, a truck fell from a ferry into the Nile, claiming two lives and leaving eight people missing. In 2015, a passenger boat and a scow collided on the Nile, resulting in 35 deaths.
Boats are frequently used for daily commutes by Egyptians, particularly in Upper Egypt and the Nile Delta. The Nile River is also a popular spot for national holiday celebrations.
This Nile ferry disaster underlines the urgent need for Egypt to improve maintenance and tighten regulations concerning transportation. This is essential to ensure the safety of laborers who risk their lives on a daily basis to earn a living.
While providing aid to the affected families is crucial, it is equally important to invest resources in proactive measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the future. This includes regular safety inspections, maintenance activities, and strict adherence to safety standards.