Egypt’s PM orders frequent drug tests for transport drivers after 19 killed in Menoufia crash

CAIRO – 29 June 2025: Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has instructed the concerned authorities to conduct regular, frequent and surprise drug tests for all transport drivers, particularly on highways in the wake of a crash in Nile Delta’s Menoufia that killed 18 young women and a man last week.

Madbouly on Sunday ordered taking legal action against transport drivers found using drugs, with a review of increasing penalties for such offenses.

The tragedy unfolded at the Regional Ring Road in Ashmun city on Friday and has deeply affected the public with most of the victims aged between 14 and 23 years.

The deceased lost their lives while en route to work. Photos from the scene showed the victims' microbus completely wrecked.

The Public Prosecution on Saturday said it ordered the detention of the truck driver pending investigation, noting that laboratory analysis of a sample taken from him confirmed that he was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident.

Crowds of people at Kafr Al-Sanabsa village perform the funeral prayer for the victims in an atmosphere filled with grief. Youm7

Ensuring Road Safety

To avoid the recurrence of such incidents, Madbouly today instructed the separation of traffic between private and transport vehicles in areas of the Regional Ring Road where maintenance and development are taking place.

The prime minister ordered increasing traffic patrols, radars and surveillance cameras to ensure compliance with traffic rules and to address any violations.

He affirmed the necessity of completing various repairs and maintenance on the Regional Ring Road by specific deadlines, emphasizing the need to apply all safety and security protocols during the execution.

Honoring Victims

Honoring the victims, the prime minister directed the ministers of education and higher education to fully exempt the families of the 19 victims from tuition fees. He also instructed the minister of social solidarity to provide an exceptional pension for these grieving families.

Additionally, he tasked the governor of Menoufia with naming government buildings and streets in the village of Kafr Al-Sanabsa after the victims to honor their memory in their home village.

Madbouly stated that words of condolence are insufficient to address the immense loss that occurred two days ago, expressing that he and the Cabinet share in the sorrow of this incident that has deeply affected all Egyptians.

“This tragedy is a shared loss for us all.”

Presidential Care

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday ordered an increase in compensation for the families of the deceased and the injured in the crash by LE 100,000 and LE 25,000, respectively.

Consequently, the ministers of social solidarity and labor announced that each family of a deceased victim will receive LE 500,000, while the injured will receive LE 70,000 following the increase.

The president also directed the government to closely monitor road maintenance and repairs, particularly on the Regional Ring Road, and to expedite these efforts.

He instructed that signs be clearly posted in repair areas and that road reroutes be effectively communicated. Additionally, he called for the immediate removal of barriers that contribute to accidents on these roads and for speed monitoring.

Meanwhile, First Lady Entissar Amer directed the Egyptian Red Crescent to swiftly provide psychological and material support to the families of the victims.