Egypt transport minister to honor Aswan woman protecting train from stoning

CAIRO - 16 July 2026: Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir held a Thursday phone call with Aswan resident Laila Hassan to thank her for stopping a group of children from pelting a moving train with stones.

Al-Wazir praised Hassan’s bravery and civic responsibility, stating she represents an honorable model of Egyptian citizenship for protecting public property and safeguarding passenger lives. He announced he will officially host Hassan mid-next week at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital to honor her actions.

The incident gained traction after Hassan recorded and posted a video of the children throwing stones at the train. In the footage, which shows the stoning damaging the carriages, Hassan can be heard confronting the group, shouting, "You’re throwing stones at the train, by God I won’t let you go... I'm not afraid of you."

The children, who also attempted to throw stones at Hassan herself, were subsequently arrested by local police. During interrogation, they claimed they were merely "having fun" and had no other intentions.

Hassan expressed her appreciation for the minister’s call, stating her intervention was a basic national duty because public trains belong to all Egyptians.