Sinai: 10 Israeli tourists killed in bus accident

VIDEO - Ten Israeli passengers were killed Tuesday afternoon and dozens were injured as a bus overturned near the Egyptian town of al-Saada near Nuweiba in Sinai. Egyptian authorities and official sources in Sinai reported that 11 people were killed about 50 were injured led in the accident, some of them Israelis from Arab communities in northern Israel. Eyewitnesses: People died in our arms Two passengers who sustained serious wounds, four who sustained moderate wounds and another 23 who were lightly injured in the accident crossed the Taba border terminal and were treated by Magen David Adom crews that were waiting in the area for many hours, since the accident occurred. The injured were evacuated to the Yoseftal hospital in Eilat for medical treatment. Scene of the accident (Photo: AP) The accident occured at around 4:30 p.m. The bus, which belongs to the Egyptian RANO company, was one of eight driving Israeli Arabs on an organized tour. The tour was arranged by the Bassel Tours company from Nazareth. Several passengers who sustained serious injuries were evacuated to the hospitals in Nuweiba and Sharm al-Sheikh. Passengers who sustained light injuries boarded buses making their way to the Taba Terminal. Workers at the Bassel Tours office told Ynet that the bus carried Israeli tourists from Sharm to Israel and back on a daily basis. Leviv, one of the company managers said: "The tourists were families who were on their way home from Sharm to Israel. They were families from Nazareth, Kafr Manda and Kafr Yasif. Referring to the Egyptian company, he said: "It's a very reliable company. We have been working with them for eight years now, and the bus which overturned was of a 2006 model." Another manager in the company turned to the Egyptians through Ynet: "I turn to you and ask that you let the MDA ambulances enter. We view this as humanitarian aid." Eilat District Police Commander Bruno Stein said that the bus overturned as a result of a puncture. The Egyptian police officer also said that the accident was apparently caused by a flat tire, but added that "the authorities are also looking into the possibility that the driver lost control as a result of reckless driving at high speed. All the signs point to the fact that an explosion in one of the tires caused the bus to overturn. There are several casualties on the scene." According to the officer, Israel was exerting efforts to allow the entry of Magen David Adom ambulances into Sinai. Army officials have contacted the Egyptian authorities to look into the possibility of sending crews to assist in the rescue efforts. Ambulances wait at Taba Terminal (Photo: Haim Weingerten) The MDA spokesman said that MDA Director-General Eli Bin issued an order to boost Eilat with mobile intensive care units and send ambulances to the border terminal in order to prepare for a possibility of entering Egypt or receiving the casualties on the border. The MDA manager in the Negev district, who was on his way to the Taba Terminal, said: "We received information from people who were on the other bus. Two helicopters also arrived at the terminal, and the injured will be first evacuated to the Yoseftal hospital and then to other hospitals in Israel." Popular tourist destination About 40 Magen David Adom ambulances prepared to receive the injured at the Taba Terminal on the Israel-Egypt border. The Israel Defense Force is expected to fly paramedics to Eilat via helicopters to boost the crews there. "We provided blood units to the Yoseftal hospital in Eilat. At the moment we are collecting additional details," MDA Spokesman Yeruham Mandola told Ynet. The Eilat Police set up a command post headed by Eilat District Police Commander Bruno Stein. The Yoseftal hospital was preparing for a mass-casualty event with crews of doctors and nurses, and the hospital workers were preparing at the hospital to receive the injured from the accident. The Foreign Ministry reported that a team from the Israeli Embassy in Cairo left for the field to see whether any assistance was needed. The Interior Ministry enabled Israelis to return from Sinai and enter Israel even without a passport. Many Israelis, especially young ones, continue to travel to Sinai in spite of the two terror attacks that hit the area in recent years. Many beaches have become very popular due to the cheap accommodation prices. Nuweiba is considered one of the popular destinations. Ali Waked, Sharon Roffe-Ofir, Roee Nahmias, Vered Luvitch and Meital Yasur-Beit Or contributed to the report

Sinai: 10 Israeli tourists killed in bus accident

(VIDEO) Bus carrying Israeli Arab tourists overturns Tuesday afternoon between Nuweiba and Taba in Sinai; Egyptian authorities: At least 11 tourists killed. Magen David Adom ambulances receive injured at Taba Terminal