6 Mexican tourists killed in Egypt bus accident
6 Mexican tourists killed in bus accident in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula
Tourists, workers and first responders stand near a bus carrying Mexican tourists after it overturned Friday, May 31, 2013 in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula before bursting into flame, killing many, according to the state news agency MEAN. Head of emergency services for South Sinai governorate Khaled Abou Hashem says that the bus was carrying tourists from the peninsula's Saint Catherine's monastery to the Red Sea resort of Dahab.(AP Photo)
CAIRO (AP) -- A bus carrying Mexican tourists overturned Friday in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula before bursting into flames, killing at least six tourists, according to the state news agency MENA.
Head of emergency services for South Sinai governorate, Khaled Abou Hashem, said the bus was carrying Mexican tourists from the peninsula's Saint Catherine's monastery to the Red Sea resort of Dahab.
The accident occurred because of high-speed driving, a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
MENA said 25 people were injured in the accident.
Mexico's deputy foreign minister, Carlos de Icaza, told The Associated Press that the authorities were still working to confirm details of the accident. He said consular officials were on their way to the scene of the accident and that they were still not sure whether all of the victims were Mexican citizens.
De Icaza also said that the Egyptian authorities told them there were 15 injured.
Road accidents are common in Egypt due to badly maintained roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws. According to a 2012 World Health Organization report, road accidents kill about 12,000 people each year in a population of about 90 million.
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Associated Press writer Ashraf Sweilam contributed to this story from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
