At least 18 people have died after two pickup trucks carrying agricultural workers collided in northern Egypt, according to a local medical source.
The crash occurred on Tuesday in the Dawawis area of Ismailia governorate. Egyptian health authorities initially reported 47 casualties, including around 30 people who were injured.
The medical source said many of those killed were teenagers aged about 13 or 14. Local media also reported that the youngest victim was 10 years old, although the exact ages of all those involved have not been confirmed.
The workers were reportedly travelling from two villages in Sharqiya governorate to work on a farm in Ismailia when the crash occurred.
Those injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities opened an investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Overcrowded pickup trucks are commonly used to transport agricultural and other informal workers in parts of Egypt, despite the safety risks involved.
Child labour remains a concern in the country, with official figures indicating that more than one million minors are engaged in some form of work.
The crash has renewed concerns over transport safety for informal workers, particularly those travelling to agricultural jobs in overcrowded vehicles.
