Carnage in Egypt: Two trucks collide, killing 18, mostly children

A tragic road accident in northern Egypt has claimed the lives of at least 18 people, predominantly teenagers, when two small trucks carrying agricultural workers collided. The victims, some as young as 10 years old, were en route to work on a farm in the Ismailia governorate.

Medical sources indicated that the majority of those killed were adolescents aged 13 or 14. The youngest victim was reportedly 10 years old. Despite the inherent dangers, these small trucks are a common and often overcrowded mode of transport for millions of informally employed workers, including minors, across Egypt.

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Most of the dead are teenagers aged 13 or 14.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health initially reported a higher casualty count, including approximately 30 injured individuals. The accident occurred on a road in the Ismailia province, with passengers originating from villages in the Nile Delta region.

This devastating incident underscores the persistent problem of child labor in Egypt, where an estimated 1.3 million minors are affected, according to official figures. These children frequently become victims of traffic accidents due to unsafe working and transportation conditions. The informal economy constitutes a significant portion of Egypt's employment, representing 67% of the workforce, with the agricultural sector being largely informal. Millions of undeclared workers, primarily in agriculture, construction, and industry, operate under precarious employment and safety conditions.

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The youngest victim was 10 years old.