---
title: "Watch an Egyptian Army Tank Crew Save Dozens by Running Over a Suicide Bomber’s Car"
description: "The tank crew's quick action saved numerous bystanders, according to the military."
date: "2017-07-27"
modified: "2017-07-28"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/12940/watch-an-egyptian-army-tank-crew-save-dozens-by-running-over-a-suicide-bombers-car"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "Egypt"
  - "Suicide bomber"
  - "Tank"
---

# Watch an Egyptian Army Tank Crew Save Dozens by Running Over a Suicide Bomber’s Car

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/07/tank.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

An Egyptian Army tank crew is being credited with saving the lives of at least 50 people this week after running over an approaching suicide bomber's car, causing the bomb to prematurely detonate before the attackers could reach a crowded military checkpoint, [*Newsweek* reports.](<https://www.newsweek.com/egypt-army-isis-car-bomb-642712>)

The Egyptian military released surveillance video showing the incredible sequence in full on Monday. In the footage, shot from an elevated position outside the city of Arish on Egypt's Siani Peninsula, at least 20 cars and trucks are lined up on a road waiting to be processed at the checkpoint. The attackers are seen approaching from a distance at high speed on the wrong side of the road, but they come face-to-face with what appear to be an Egyptian M60 Patton [tank](<https://www.twz.com/11253/russia-challenges-u-s-tankers-to-compete-in-its-annual-tank-biathlon>) and two [U.S.-surplus MRAPs](<https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2016/10/03/Egypt-receives-surplus-US-armored-vehicles/5801475513045/>) blocking the open lane at the rear of the line.

Seconds later, as people begin fleeing their cars, the tank crew makes the call. They charge forward, treads skittering on the asphalt, and crush the bombers' car before they can react. It's hard to overstate how courageous that is—they probably assumed the bomb would blow up and kill them in the process, but at least it wouldn't reach the checkpoint. [According to *The Independent,*](<https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/egyptian-tank-crew-car-bomb-crush-save-50-people-arish-sinai-peninsula-a7860596.html>) witnesses say the car was carrying four men with machine guns, so it seems very likely a larger massacre was prevented thanks to their heroics.

https://youtube.com/embed/JwF9GEzobgc

But the bomb doesn't explode; not yet, at least. So before it does, the tank crew makes another brave choice; They could easily flee the blast zone by driving into the fields, but instead they opt to carefully turn around (so as not to damage a civilian's car) and drive back to their original position to shield the two MRAPs as they slowly back away. Moments later, a massive explosion fills the screen as the bomb finally goes off.

Unfortunately, seven people were still killed in this horrible attack, according to *Newsweek.* But based on the size of the blast, it's clear the toll would have been much, much higher.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)