Egypt sacks rail authority chief after string of deadly accidents

Calls on social media have urged the minister himself to step down for the accidents blamed on poor infrastructure.

Egypt’s railways chief has been sacked following a string of deadly train disasters, two days after the latest accident that cost 11 lives. “The goal of these decisions is not merely about leadership changes of the authority but are in line with the next stage which demands…a complete upgrade of the railway network,” the transport ministry said on Tuesday. The changes “underway aim to provide better services, working around the clock to serve commuters and to upgrade…this essential service which transports millions of passengers yearly”, it said in a statement.