At least 35 dead in Egypt road accident: State media

At least 35 people were killed and dozens injured in a road accident involving a bus and several cars on Egypt's Cairo-Alexandria motorway, state media reported on Saturday.

"A horrific collision on the Cairo-Alexandria desert road near Wadi al-Natrun led to the death of 35 people, at least 18 of whom burnt to death," said Al Ahram news website, indicating "at least 53 were injured".

The tragic accident could have been caused by an oil leak from a car — which sparked a fire that spread to other vehicles, according to the state-run Al Ahram newspaper, which quoted the police.

Videos that circulated on social media showed huge smoke billowing from the site, where a number cars were seen on fire.

Images posted on social media showed an overturned lorry lying across the fast lane on charred tarmac.

Further on is at least one bus and a minibus, both largely gutted by fire, as well as many cars, some still in flames.

Crowds of people can be seen standing by the road, gazing at the crash site alongside queues of cars as thick black smoke spirals into the air.

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