Seventeen people were killed when a truck and a bus collided on a motorway in southern Egypt on Thursday, the health ministry said.

It said another 29 people were injured, and that 26 ambulances were sent to the scene of the accident on the road between the southern cities of Kharga and Asyut.

The Injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

Egypt’s roads are notoriously dangerous and often badly maintained, and drivers often break speed limits and other traffic rules.

With a population of more than 105 million, Egypt is the Arab world’s most populous country.

In 2021 there were 7,000 deaths caused by traffic accidents, according to official figures. (AFP)