A road crash in the south of the Egyptian Capital has killed eighteen persons.

The incident happened during a night-time curfew put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The cars were stopping t a checkpoint on a ring road in Giza, according to State television reported on Thursday when the speeding truck drove into them, the broadcaster said, citing police sources.

Five others were injured in the accident, other Egyptian media reported. The truck driver was arrested.

On Tuesday, Egypt announced a two-week curfew in an effort to control the spread of the coronavirus, which has affected 456 people in the Arab world’s most populous country, resulting in 21 deaths.

The nationwide curfew went in effect on Wednesday from 7 pm (1700 GMT) to 6 am.

All public and private collective transportation is suspended during that time.

The Egyptian government has warned that violators would be liable to penalties, including imprisonment, under emergency law in force since 2017 after deadly church bombings.

(dpa/NAN)

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