A security official says a train has collided with a bus carrying kindergarteners to their school in southern Egypt, killing at least 22.

The official says the crash occurred Saturday as the bus crossed tracks near a village in Manfaloot district in the southern province of Assiut. The bus was carrying nearly 50 children between 4 and 6 years old. He says 12 more are not accounted for.

The official says it appears that the railroad crossing was not closed as the train sped towards it. He was speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

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