At least 11 people, including six children, have died after their minibus fell off a ferry carrying it across the river Nile in Egypt, security officials said.

Several people were also injured and it is feared the death toll could rise as bodies were reported to be trapped in the wreckage.

The incident took place in Minya governorate, about 200km south of Cairo.

A local police chief said the bus driver had not used the emergency brakes to keep the vehicle still during the crossing, AP reported.

However, state media said the bus fell off the ferry while boarding.

Among the dead were six children aged between two and 13, authorities said.

There were conflicting reports about the minibus driver, with one report saying he had drowned and others saying he had turned himself in to authorities, fearing retribution from the families of those killed.

Series of accidents

The two buses were carrying men, women and children from one extended family, Minya's governor told AP.

A series of deadly accidents involving Egypt's ferry system has led to public anger over the government's handling of transport safety.

Many of the accidents have occurred on public holidays, when Egypt's transport system becomes overloaded.

In October at least four people died, also in Minya, when passengers fell into the Nile as they tried to board a ferry.

And in February 2006 about 1,000 people died when a ferry sank in the Red Sea as it travelled to Egypt from Saudi Arabia.

PHOTO CAPTION

A ferry crossing the Nile