Nile 'party boat' crash kills at least 21 in Egypt Published duration 23 July 2015

image copyright AFP image caption The wreckage of the boat was pulled from the water on Thursday morning

At least 21 people have been killed in a crash between a cargo vessel and a passenger boat on Egypt's River Nile, security sources say.

Families of a young couple hired the boat for an engagement party and were sailing north of Cairo when it was hit late on Wednesday, reports say.

The interior ministry said the bodies of four babies had been recovered. Several passengers are still missing.

Five people were rescued. The captain of the cargo boat has been arrested.

Police are now investigating the incident.

It is not clear if the couple thought to be celebrating their engagement were among the casualties.

image copyright AFP image caption Recovery efforts were delayed by darkness but resumed at first light

Relatives of the dead and missing gathered on the banks of the river to await news of their loved ones.

Ahmed Helmy said at least five of his family members died.

"Two children are missing," he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

The wreckage of the boat has now been removed from the water by recovery teams.

Traffic had been heavy along the Nile, where many Egyptians had been celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan.