Assiut, Egypt (Running Africa) — At least nine children were killed and two others injured after a motorized tricycle carrying young farm workers plunged into a canal in the Abu Tig district of Assiut Province, southern Egypt.

According to local media reports, the vehicle overturned after suffering an apparent steering malfunction while transporting the children home from nearby farms.

The victims, aged between 10 and 17, were pulled from the canal by emergency responders and taken to Abu Tig Hospital, where authorities confirmed the fatalities. Rescue teams, including specialist divers, were deployed to search the waterway and recover the victims.

Following the tragedy, Assiut Governor Mohamed Elwan ordered the installation of concrete safety barriers along the canal in an effort to reduce the risk of similar accidents.

The incident has renewed concerns over child labor and the difficult socio-economic conditions facing many rural families in Egypt, where children are often employed in agricultural work to help support household incomes.

It also highlights ongoing road safety challenges across the country. Egypt records thousands of traffic-related deaths each year, with speeding, poorly maintained roads, vehicle defects, and weak enforcement of traffic regulations among the leading causes of fatal accidents.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash as communities across Assiut mourn the loss of the children.