At Least 12 Mexican And Egyptian Tourists 'Accidentally' Killed By Egyptian Security Forces

Egyptian authorities informed through a statement released by their Interior Ministry that police and armed forces killed at least 12 tourists and injured 10 more, including Mexicans and Egyptians, by mistake, as they were allegedly pursuing “terrorist elements” but accidentally engaged with a tourist convoy. “A joint force from the police and military, whilst chasing terrorist elements in the oasis area of the Western desert tonight, accidentally engaged four four-wheel drives belonging to a Mexican tourist group,” the ministry said. “The incident resulted in the death of 12 Mexicans and Egyptians and the injury of 10 others who have been transferred to hospitals.”

Reportedly, four SVUs entered an areabanned for access by civilians due to the security situation in the Western Desert. Once there, they were killed when security forces opened fire after they mistook them for terrorists. In addition to those killed, 10 other people were rushed to the hospital where they remain and their conditions remain unknown. Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto issued a statement via Twitter condemning the incident “demands an exhaustive investigation by the Egyptian government.”

Security operations are being conducted by Egyptian military and police, the Interior Ministry informed.