Nearly 41 drown as Egypt ferry capsizes: reports

CAIRO: Up to 43 people drowned on Friday when a ferry capsized in the Nile River in a southern Egyptian province, state media reported.

The official MENA news agency said the 43 people died when the ferry overturned in Bani Suwayf province, without reporting any more details.

State television reported that rescue workers were looking for more victims and had transferred survivors to hospital.

But police officials put the toll at 17 dead and four injured in the accident.

They told AFP that the ferry was carrying a bus loaded with passengers who were on their way to visit a graveyard.

The accident happened almost a year after five people drowned when their ferry capsized in the Nile in the suburbs of Cairo.

Transport accidents are common in Egypt and are often blamed on poor maintenance and neglect. (AFP)