UPDATE - 12 people killed in deadly road accident in Egypt

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 12 people, including children, were killed in a deadly road accident in eastern Egypt on Sunday, according to local media.

The state-run MENA news agency, citing an official with the ambulance authority, said a passenger bus overturned on the Cairo-Suez desert highway near the city canal city of Suez.

MENA said 34 other passengers were injured in the accident.

Egyptian authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the accident.

Traffic accidents are frequent in Egypt due to recklessness of drivers and disrespect of traffic regulations, according to Egypt's state statistics agency CAPMAS.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry offered condolences to Egypt over the loss of lives in accident.

"We have received the news with sadness that a bus travelling from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo rollovered in a traffic accident causing many deaths and injuries in Egypt today (5 September)," a ministry statement said.

"We wish Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives in the accident, speedy recovery to the injured and extend our condolences to Egypt," it added.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara