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Egypt bus crash kills dozens of children Egypt bus crash kills dozens of children
(about 2 hours later)
Up to 47 children have been killed in southern Egypt after the bus carrying them to kindergarten collided with a speeding train. Up to 50 children have been killed in southern Egypt after the bus carrying them to kindergarten collided with a speeding train.
The crash is believed to have happened when the bus, carrying more than 50 children aged between four and six, drove across a railway line. The crash is believed to have happened when the bus, carrying more than 50 children aged between four and six, drove through a railway crossing near Manfalut, a village near Assiut.
"They told us the barriers were open when the bus crossed the tracks and the train collided with it," Dr Mohamed Samir said, citing witness accounts. "They told us the barriers were open when the bus crossed the tracks and the train collided with it," said Mohamed Samir, a doctor at a hospital where injured survivors were taken.
A witness said the train pushed the bus along the tracks for nearly half a mile near Manfalut, a village near Assiut, more than 200 miles south of Cairo. Officials said a crossing guard who was allegedly asleep at the time of the collision had been arrested.
Two hospital officials said between seven and 11 wounded were being treated in two different facilities, many with severed limbs. Accounts of the death toll varied between 38 and 47. Ahmed Youssef, a witness, said he saw the train push the bus along the tracks for nearly half a mile. The bus was broken in half by the force of the collision. Photographs showed blood on the front of the train.
Families of the children joined the search for survivors and bodies after the collision but a reporter at the scene said many of the remains were unrecognisable. State television reported that 15 people were injured in the collision. A medical source told the Reuters news agency that up to 28 people had been hurt, including 27 children.
"My children! I didn't feed you before you left," said Um Ibrahim, a mother of three. One man picked up a body screaming: "Only God can help!" Families of the victims joined the search for survivors and bodies. A reporter at the scene said many of the remains were unrecognisable. One man picked up a body screaming: "Only God can help!"
The state news agency Mena reported that Egypt's transport minister, Mohammed el-Meteeni, had offered his resignation to President Mohammed Morsi. The agency said Morsi ordered an investigation into the accident and said those responsible would be held accountable. The state news agency Mena reported that Egypt's transport minister, Mohammed el-Meteeni, had offered his resignation to President Mohamed Morsi. The agency said Morsi had ordered an investigation into the accident and promised that those responsible would be held accountable. The prime minister, Hisham Kandil, was en route to the scene of the incident.
Yahya Keshk, the governor of Assuit, said the railway crossing had been open at the time of the collision. "The crossing worker was asleep. He has been detained," he said.
Egypt's railway system has a poor safety record. The railway's worst disaster took place in February 2002 when a train heading to southern Egypt caught fire, killing 363 people.Egypt's railway system has a poor safety record. The railway's worst disaster took place in February 2002 when a train heading to southern Egypt caught fire, killing 363 people.
Accidents blamed on negligence occurred regularly during the rule of Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted as president last year after a popular uprising. Mubarak was accused of valuing loyalty over competence in appointing senior officials.
This latest accident is the worst such tragedy since Morsi took power this summer.