10 young women killed, nine injured as minibus plunges off ferry into Egypt’s Nile River
Driver of the bus who released the handbrake was arrested while trying to flee
Dubai: At least 10 young women died and nine were injured after a minibus fell from a ferry into Egypt’s Nile River in Giza Governorate, on Tuesday morning.
Rescue teams swiftly responded to the scene, managing to save nearly 10 girls from the river.
Reports indicated that the bus, transporting young women employed on a farm, overturned while crossing the Nile River on the small ferry.
The Al Ahram newspaper first reported on the accident and said the driver, who had released the handbrake, was arrested while trying to flee.
“The toll is at 10 and could rise,” health ministry spokesman Hossam Abdul Ghaffar told AFP.
He had gotten into “a verbal argument” with one of the passengers before leaving the vehicle, it reported.
The vehicle sank in the village of Abu Ghalib, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) northwest of the capital.
The Ministry of Health has been closely overseeing the emergency response and medical care provided to the victims.
Hospitals near the accident site have been placed on high alert, with eight ambulances and rescue teams despatched to offer assistance.
Three of the injured have been moveed to Sheikh Zayed Central and Wardan Central hospitals.