Walid Mardi went to work at his busy cafeteria as usual on Wednesday. In his early 40s, Walid makes sandwiches, snacks and hot drinks for passengers passing though Cairo’s Ramses rail station.
But when a runaway train smashed into platform six and the man known by his friends as Al Hajj Walid using an honorific usually reserved for people who have completed a pilgrimage to Makka because of his calm attitude jumped into action.
"I heard a big explosion and later saw the huge flames that reached the ceiling of the station and nearby offices," Walid told The National.
CCTV footage, which has been widely circulated on the news and on social media despite the distressing nature, showed Walid running between people on fire pouring water over their heads and putting out the flames.
“Without thinking, I took the water tank and started pouring water on them. When it didn’t work, I got blankets and tried to put out the fires,” he said.
“Later, the blankets themselves started to burn and I kicked in a nearby kiosk and got more. We were able to save around 13 people,” Walid said, pointing out he hadn’t acted alone.
Eyewitnesses told The National that rail workers, passersby and other passengers all stepped in to try and help the victims before the ambulance and police arrived at the scene.
In total at least 25 people died in the explosion and more than 40 were injured.
“The platform is the place where we make a living. We are always there for the people – even when passengers need directions or assistance with the bags,” he said.
But once the ambulances had rushed the last of the victims away, Walid’s day wasn’t over.
“When the [other] trains continued to operate, we had to stand up and go back to work.”
Egyptians across the country have erupted in praise for Walid and his colleagues, most of whom work for the same catering service working the overnight trains to Aswan and Luxor.
The men have been celebrated as ‘true Egyptians’ and ‘heroes’.
“He is one of the typical courageous Egyptians who steps in to help anyone in their misfortune, even with the least of abilities,” one user said on Twitter.
“Ten bodies were not eaten by fire. Ten lives were not lost. Ten families didn’t collapse. Ten dreams will have another chance to be fulfilled. All because of Walid,” Facebook user Mohamed Ashraf Hammad wrote, referring to the earlier toll of people saved by Walid's act of bravery.
Another user said Walid might be an underpaid and overworked man and maybe he suffers from the same economic problems as many working people in Egypt, but “he didn’t let this affect his humanity”.
Akhbar Al-Youm, one of Egypt’s largest newspapers, dedicated one of its headlines to comparing Walid with Alaa Fathy, the driver of the crashed locomotive. Mr Fathy says he left the engine running when he got out of the cab to argue with a colleague.
The state-owned newspaper described both men as “two different sides to the same coin: negligence and bravery”.
But Walid said he just acted as anyone would.
“I did what I can. I used what God has provided me at the time. There are people whom we could not save, there was a woman and her child deep in the fire who passed away,” he said.
Despite all the praise, Walid says he’s shocked by Wednesday’s incident. “I still cannot process what happened. One of my friends who works in the station is still missing,” he says.
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How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
