CAIRO — A passenger train heading to Cairo was struck from behind by a locomotive on Sunday in southern Egypt, resulting in multiple injuries, according to officials. This incident marks the second train accident to occur within a month in the North African nation.

The collision took place in Minya province, located approximately 270 kilometers (or about 168 miles) south of the capital, Cairo. The railway authority released a statement indicating that two train carriages plunged into a nearby waterway as a result of the impact. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, as stated by the officials.

Local media reported footage that shows two of the train carriages partially immersed in the watercourse, highlighting the severity of the crash. In a separate update, the Health Ministry reported that at least 20 individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Train accidents are unfortunately frequent in Egypt, which suffers from an outdated railway system that has long been hampered by mismanagement. Just last month, two passenger trains collided in a city in the Nile Delta, resulting in the deaths of at least three people.

In light of these persistent issues, the Egyptian government has initiated plans to revamp its railway infrastructure. In 2018, President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced that an investment of 250 billion Egyptian pounds (equivalent to approximately $8.13 billion) would be necessary to adequately rehabilitate the neglected rail network.