CAIRO: At least one Egyptian soldier was reportedly killed and 21 others injured Tuesday in a highway accident in central Sinai, medics and witnesses told reporters. Egypt is known for its poor road conditions, high driving speeds and lack of seat belts. This is one of the few military accidents that has occurred in recent years. According to reports from Sinai, the vehicle was carrying border police – known for their crackdown on African migrants along the lengthy desert border – when the vehicle smashed into another coming the opposite direction. Some of the injured are in serious condition and were transferred to al-Arish hospital in Northern Sinai some 30 minutes from the Gaza border. According to the most reliable statistics available, around 6,000 people are killed and another 30,000 are injured in traffic accidents in Egypt annually. A Parliamentary bill was passed in 2008 in an effort to stem traffic accidents by establishing new regulations, but it has made little difference. BM
