Car crash, explosion kills at least 19 in Cairo

Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A car crash in Cairo late Sunday killed at least 19 people and injured dozens, Egypt's health ministry said.

The incident occurred in Cairo's Manyal neighborhood near the National Cancer Institute when a speeding vehicle driving against traffic slammed into three other cars, causing the explosion, officials said. The blast heavily damaged the center's facade.

The cancer institute said 54 patients were evacuated and taken to other hospitals, and disputed claims the accident happened inside the facility.

Cairo's 57357 Children's Cancer Hospital said in a statement two employees died in the crash. The hospital identified them as Nabil Mohamed and Mohamed Abdel-Zaher.

Egyptian President Abdelfattah Elsisi described it as a "cowardly terrorist incident" while extending his condolences to his citizenry and the families of the victims.

"I assure you that the Egyptian state is determined to confront the brutal terrorism and eradicate it from its roots," he said via Twitter.

Militants have increased attacks on Egyptian law enforcement since the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. He died June 17.