CAIRO, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and six others injured Monday when a lorry collided with a microbus carrying workers on the Matrouh-Sallum highway in northwestern Egypt, authorities said.
The crash occurred early in the morning when the lorry hit the microbus from behind, sparking a fire, according to a statement posted on Matrouh province's official Facebook page. Six ambulances rushed the wounded to the nearest public hospital.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the lorry's high speed and poor road lighting were major factors in the accident.
Road accidents claim thousands of lives in Egypt each year, primarily due to speeding, traffic violations, and poor road conditions. In recent years, the government has been upgrading the country's road network to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. ■