A bus and multiple cars were involved in a “horrific collision” on an Egyptian highway on Saturday that resulted in at least 35 fatalities and over 50 injuries, according to state media.
In Egypt, where the highway code is routinely broken and roads are frequently in poor condition, traffic accidents are commonplace.
“A horrific collision on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road near Wadi al-Natrun led to the death of 35 people, at least 18 of whom burnt to death,” said Al-Ahram news website, indicating “at least 53 were injured”.
Pictures shared on social media displayed a flipped truck resting on scorched asphalt in the fast lane.
Several cars, some still burning, and at least one bus and a minibus, both severely damaged by fire, can be seen further on.
As thick black smoke spirals into the air, crowds of people can be seen standing by the road, staring at the crash scene and the line of cars.
According to official statistics, the country with the largest population in the Arab world saw 7,000 fatal traffic accidents in 2021.