At least 47 children died Saturday in Egypt in a collision between their bus and a train in the province of Assiut (center), said the governor of the region, Yehya Keshk. Transport Minister Rashad al-Metini and the head of the Railway Authority resigned after the accident, according to official media.
"The death toll is 47 dead. Thirteen children were injured," the governor said on state television.
The bus, which was taking 60 children for an outing organized by their manger, was struck at a crossing at Manfalout (356 km south of Cairo), police said. The children aged 4 to 6 years.
"A team of 45 doctors on site to treat injured children," said the governor of Assiut.
The state television reported "terrifying" scenes at the place of the accident, with the bodies of children lying on the ground covered with blood, before being transferred to Manfalout hospital.
President Mohamed Morsi ordered the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense and Health and the governor of Assiut to"provide all possible assistance to the victims," said MENA news agency.
