25 dead in Egypt bus, train accidents before holiday

At least 22 people were killed in a bus collision and threedied when a train derailed in separate accidents south of Cairo Wednesday during a busy holiday traveltime.

The bus collided with a truck in the southwestern province of Wedi El-Gedid, the Egyptian healthministry said. The number of passengers on the bus was not immediately clear.

Traffic accidents are common in Egypt, where many of the country'sroads are not well-maintained and regulations are laxly enforced.

The train, which had left Cairofor the southern city of Aswan carrying about 60passengers -- derailed south of Cairo,police and medical officials said.

The conductor hit the brakes when he spotted a problem withthe tracks, causing three carriages to overturn near the village of Al-Ayyat,officials said.

Fifteen passengers were also injured in the accident.

Egypt'sroads and trains are busier before national holidays, such as the Eid festivalnext week, with people working in Cairoand other major cities visiting their home towns and villages.

Al-Ayyat was the scene of Egypt's deadliest rail accident in2002 when a cooking gas cylinder exploded on a train and led to a fire thatkilled 361 passengers.

Trains are often overcrowded in Egypt, adding to the safety risks.