Egypt sends condolences for victims of Turkey train crash

Egypt’s foreign ministry yesterday expressed its sincere condolences for the families of the victims of the train and minibus collision in Turkey, which left six people dead and several others wounded. “With deep sadness and sorrow about the news of the accident, Egypt wishes a speedy recovery for the wounded,” said the ministry.

Turkish media reported on Sunday that the collision between a freight train and a minibus took place in the north-west of the country, at a crossing in the city of Tekirdag. The minibus was carrying local factory workers when it collided with a train bound for nearby Cerkezkoy.

On the same day, the Turkish foreign ministry sent condolences to the Egyptian government over a coach crash in the east of the country which left 13 people dead and injured dozens more.

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The moves come as Cairo and Ankara have attempted to resume talks amid calls for coordination on Libya and eastern Mediterranean files. The second round of exploratory talks between Egypt and Turkey is scheduled to be held this week in Ankara. The first round was held on 5-6 May.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently expressed his hope to strengthen cooperation with Egypt and the Gulf states to “the fullest extent”. He added that his country had “opportunities for serious cooperation with Egypt in a wide area from the eastern Mediterranean to Libya.”