Belgian tourist dies in bus crash in Egypt, six others injured

In Aswan, in southern Egypt on the eastern bank of the Nile, ten people have died in a bus accident: one Belgian, four French and five Egyptian citizens. This was reported by the governor of Aswan Governorate.

Six Belgian and eight French tourists were injured in the crash. They are in "stable condition" and have been hospitalised for "fractures, bruises and superficial injuries", according to the governor's statement. This was confirmed by the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs of Belgium on Wednesday afternoon.

"Our embassy team in Cairo and the consular services in Brussels are in contact with the (involved) tour operator" to provide assistance to the victims, a spokesperson for the FPS Foreign Affairs said. "Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and their loved ones at this very difficult time," tweeted Foreign Affairs Minister Sophie Wilmès.

The accident occurred in the early morning when the bus carrying tourists collided with a car on the nearly 300-kilometre desert road leading to the temples of Abu Simbel. The exact circumstances of the accident are not yet known. 

(TOM)

© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK