View source for 1956 Egypt ferry accident

{{Short description|Ferry accident in Egypt}}

{{Infobox event
| title = 1956 Egypt ferry accident
| image = 
| image_size = 180px
| caption = 
| date = 13 February 1956
| time = Morning
| place = Near [[Dekernes]] at a tributary of the [[Nile]], [[Egypt]]
| coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| cause = 
| participants = >45 passengers<ref name=Trouw /><ref name=HH /><br>buffaloes/cows<ref name=Trouw /><ref name=FK /><br>donkeys<ref name=Trouw />
| reported deaths = 22 children
}}
The '''1956 Egypt ferry accident''' occurred in the morning on 13 February 1956 near [[Dekernes]] at a small tributary of the [[Nile]], in [[Egypt]]. A [[passenger ferry]] capsized, killing 22 schoolchildren between 12 years old and 18 years old.<ref name=FK>{{cite news|url= https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010686961:mpeg21:a0064|title=Ruim 20 kinderen in rivier verdronken|newspaper=Friese Koerier : Onafhankelĳk Dagblad voor Friesland en Aangrenzende Gebieden |publisher=[[Friese koerier]]|date=15 February 1956|via=[[Delpher]]|language=nl}}</ref><ref name=Trouw />

The accident has been listed by Dutch newspaper ''[[Brabants Dagblad|Het Huisgezin]]'' as one of the main international disasters of 1956.<ref>{{cite news |date=29 December 1956 |title=Rampen troffen de wereld |language=nl |trans-title=Disasters struck the world |newspaper=[[Brabants Dagblad|Het Huisgezin]] |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMUBTB04:210877075:mpeg21:a00076 |via=[[Delpher]]}}</ref>

==Accident==
In February 1956 the foot bridge over the small channel near [[Dekernes]] was closed for repairs. People who wanted to cross the channel had to take a small ferry.<ref name=NvhN /><ref name=Trouw /> In the morning of 13 February 1956 fourtyfive children took the ferry to go to school.<ref name=FK /><ref name=NvhN>{{cite news|url= https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010882719:mpeg21:a0042 |title=Een pont kapseisde Twee en twintig scholieren verdronken |newspaper=[[Nieuwsblad van het Noorden]]|date=13 February 1956|via=[[Delpher]]|language=nl}}</ref> The children became impatient after the ferryman did not show up. The children persuaded older passengers to lift the anchor and to cross the channel themselves. The ferry was heavily loaded.<ref name=FK /> On board were over 45 passengers and also buffaloes/cows and donkeys.<ref name=Trouw>{{cite news|url= https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ABCDDD:010820029:mpeg21:a0154 |title=Ramp met een pont in Egypte|newspaper=[[Trouw]] |date=14 February 1956|via=[[Delpher]]|language=nl}}</ref> Halfway, a group of buffaloes started to moo loudly. The schoolchildren were startled and ran to the other side of the ferry. This caused the boat to list. A worn-out cable connecting the ferry to both banks snapped due to the tension. The ferry capsized.<ref name=FK /> Twenty-two children between 12 years old and 18 years old (12 boys, 10 girls) drowned in the muddy water.<ref name=FK /><ref name=HH>{{cite news|url= https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMUBTB04:210874038:mpeg21:a00010 |title=22 scholieren verdronken Pont omgeslagen in Egypte|newspaper=Provinciale Noord-Brabantsche Courant Het Huisgezin |publisher=Het huisgezin |date=14 February 1956|via=[[Delpher]]|language=nl}}</ref> 23 children were able to swim to the other side.<ref name=HH /> The animals survived.<ref name=Trouw />

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{1956 shipwrecks}}

{{coord missing|Egypt}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1956 Egypt ferry accident}}

[[Category:1956 in Egypt]]
[[Category:Ferries of Egypt]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in Egypt]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1956]]
[[Category:1956 disasters in Africa]]
[[Category:1950s disasters in Egypt]]
[[Category:Dakahlia Governorate]]

{{Egypt-transport-stub}}
{{Egypt-hist-stub}}