Egyptian security forces accidentally kills 12 tourists and guides, injures 10

4-wheel drives across the western dunes of Egypt

Security forces in Egypt have accidentally killed 12 people, including Mexican tourists, during an anti-terror operation, the interior ministry says. The tourist convoy were accidentally mistaken for militants they were chasing in the country’s western desert.
At least two Mexicans were killed and 10 others injured, together with other Egyptians. The tourists were traveling in four four-wheel drive vehicles that entered a restricted zone. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto condemned the attack on his Twitter account, describing it as a tragic incident and demanding a full investigation.
Egypt's tourism ministry spokesman told state news agency MENA the convoy was at an off-limits site and was using unlicensed cars, the Reuters reports. The convoy was taking part in an unapproved safari, he said. But a local tour guide has denied that, saying the group was in an unrestricted area, on top of sand dunes, trying to get a bird's eye view. Another local source, who claims to have spoken to a driver who survived the incident, told the BBC the tourists even had a police escort, the BBC reports.
He said the safari was organized by a local hotel which co-ordinate with the security forces.
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.