The initial number of dead given by officials at the time was 383, all Egyptians.

The dubious nature of the given death toll lies with the absence of a full passenger list; accounting for those missing was almost impossible at the time.

In addition, the fire was so intense and the carriages so badly burned that many corpses had been reduced to ash.

As there was no means of communication between the driver and the rear carriages, the driver did not immediately know of the fire, resulting in many people attempting to flee from the overcrowded carriages, jumping to their death.

have commented that the official number of 383 dead is grossly inaccurate and was an attempt to lessen the damage done to the reputation of the government.