Egypt (AP) - A security official says a bus carrying children between the ages of 4 and 6 has been hit by a train in southern Egypt, killing at least 49 people.

The official says the crash occurred today as the bus crossed tracks near a village as it carried the kindergarteners to school. The official says it appears the crossing was not closed as the train sped toward it.

Egypt's railway system has a poor safety record, mostly blamed on badly maintained equipment and poor management.