Tourists in Egypt gunned down by army who 'thought they were terrorists'

At least 12 tourists have been killed and 10 injured after members of the Egyptian police and army accidentally shot at a holiday convoy.

Shots were fired while authorities were engaging militants in the country's western desert, the ministry of interior said this morning.

"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 in a statement.

"The incident resulted in the death of 12 Mexicans and Egyptians and the injury of 10 others who have been transferred to hospitals."

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto condemned the attack on his Twitter account, describing it as a tragic incident and demanding a full investigation.

"Mexico condemns these deeds against our citizens and has demanded an exhaustive investigation of what has occurred," he tweeted.

Egypt's tourism ministry spokesman told state news agency MENA the convoy was at an off-limits site and was using unlicensed cars.

The convoy was taking part in an unapproved safari, he said.

Mexican ambassador Jorge Alvarez met with five Mexicans who were in stable condition in hospital, Mexico's foreign ministry said.

The Mexican ministry said an "undetermined" number of its country's nationals had been attacked and that it was in the process of identifying the two who had been killed.

Egypt is battling an insurgency that gained pace after the military ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in mid-2013 after mass protests against his rule.

The insurgency, mounted by Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate, has killed hundreds of soldiers and police and has started to attack Western targets.

(Daily Mirror)