Nine slain in revenge killings in southern Egypt

ASSIUT, Egypt (AP) — Security officials in Egypt say a fight between two families sparked by a dispute in a line to buy bread has killed nine people.

The officials said Saturday the feud began a month earlier in a town in the southern governorate of Assiut when a member of the Shaibaa tribe was killed in a fight over who was first in line to buy bread. Four members of the rival family were charged over the killing.

After a court hearing Saturday, officials say members of the Shaibaa pursued the defendants’ relatives, killing two and their driver. The officials say the bereaved relatives then went to the house of the Shaibaa and killed six.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Revenge killings are common in southern Egypt.