AP

Egyptian authorities have delayed a mass burial of bodies from this past week's rail disaster, to give families more time to identify the charred remains of the victims.

At least 363 people died, most of them burned to death, when an 11-car train caught fire as it headed south from Cairo on Wednesday.

So far, fewer than 200 bodies have been identified.

The burial had been scheduled Saturday. It now is planned for Sunday.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has vowed to hold accountable anyone proven to have been negligent in the disaster. He said any attempt to hide the truth will not be permitted.

In Washington, President Bush joined Egyptians grieving for those killed in the train accident. A White House statement Friday said the president is profoundly saddened by the terrible loss of life. It said he, Mrs. Bush, and all Americans offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to President Mubarak, the Egyptian people and to those who have lost loved ones.

An commission of inquiry has been working to determine the cause of the accident. A government newspaper, Al Ahram, said officials now believe the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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