Egyptian government kills tourists mistaken for ISIS militants

Mexican tourists were killed when an Egyptian Army aircraft mistook them for militants.

data-mce-style="margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; word-wrap: break-word;" style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; word-wrap: break-word;">LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Egyptian Army bombed a convoy of predominantly Mexican tourists, killing 12 and wounding ten people. Survivors said when they tried to run they were fired upon.

Egypt's interior ministry claims it was an accident, but there are different accounts of what exactly occurred.

Mexico's President Enrique Peńa Nieto said two Mexicans were killed while Egyptian security and judicial sources claim eight Mexicans and four Egyptians were killed.

There were 22 tourists in the four 4x4 vehicles who pulled off the road to enjoy a barbecue near the Bahariya oasis when they were attacked by a plane and helicopters.

Peńa Nieto said, "Unfortunately we have confirmed that two (Mexicans) lost their lives and six more were wounded. Mexico has demanded the Egyptian government conducts a swift, exhaustive investigation."

Jorge Alvarez, Mexico's ambassador to Egypt, said six Mexicans survived the attack and were in stable condition. He also announced six Mexicans remained unaccounted for.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said an American could have been a victim as well. Kirby told a daily briefing, "We've seen reports that potentially a U.S. citizen was injured. Our embassy in Cairo is making the appropriate inquiries with local police, and of course, they're monitoring it."

Rafael Bejarano was one of the victims, so Reuters contacted his aunt, Araceli Rangel Davalos. She claimed to know the group's guide who was an Egyptology expert named Nabil Altawami. She also said her sister was wounded, but has yet to speak to her.

In their phone conversation, she said, "I have traveled with the guide around nine times, and he never exposed us to any danger. He protected us."

Bejarano's sister, Gabriela Bejarano, was obviously doubting the Egyptian government's report. She told a local radio station in Mexico, "I don't think they were mistaken (for militants). As far as I understand ... they were dining when they came under attack ... They were in a permitted area. On this occasion they didn't stay to camp, because that was not permitted."

Egypt's ambassador to Mexico, Yasser Shaban, claims Egypt was taking the incident very seriously and was still attempting to discover what exactly happened.

Egypt's Interior Ministry stated a joint force from the Egyptian police and military found the tourist convoy while they were chasing militants through the western desert. They mistook the convoy for the militants and attacked.

Meanwhile, Islamic State took to Twitter, boasting it escaped an attack by the Egyptian military in the western desert.

Egyptian army representatives have no comment. However, security forces claim the tourist convoy closely resembled the ones the militants used.

Elhamy Elzayat, Egyptian tourism federation chairman, told Reuters, "The area is a restricted area, and the company made a mistake by taking the tourists to that area without a permit. They must obtain a permit before going there."

Officials from the tour company were not available for comment.

Tour guide syndicate leader Hassan al-Nahla reported no warning signs along the path and even with the presence of an official police representative, they were attacked.

Several statements clash and the integrity of the Egyptian government is now in question. Meanwhile, Nahla believes "this negligence and lack of coordination between the ministry of tourism and ministry of interior, Egypt ... will pay the price when this affects tourism."

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