At least 21 soldiers killed in truck accident in Egypt’s Sinai
The Egyptian military is finding itself outgunned and outmanned against militants in Sinai, near the border with Israel. Here, an Egyptian soldier in Cairo.
Egyptian officials said a truck accident in the Sinai Peninsula early this morning has killed at least 21 soldiers, reported BBC News, citing Egyptian state media.
More from GlobalPost: Egypt 'virginity test' victims demand redress, take case to African Commission: Rights group
At least 20 other security force officers were reported injured. Health Ministry official Tarek Khater told the Associated Press the vehicle's driver was speeding on a badly-maintained road when he lost control. The truck overturned in eastern Sinai, according to a report by Egypt's Middle East News Agency cited by Ahram Online.
The accident did not take place near the Sinai area where the Egyptian military has launched an operation against militant activity, said AP.
Road conditions throughout Egypt are often poor. AP cited police data estimating that the conditions are responsible for killing some 6,000 people every year.