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Egyptian forces kill 12 after shooting at tourist convoy

Egyptian security forces mistakenly kill 12 tourists in shoot out. Credit: REuters

Egypt's police and military killed 12 Egyptians and Mexicans and injured 10 when they accidentally shot at a Mexican tourist convoy whilst engaging militants in the country's western desert, the ministry of interior said in a statement.

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

– Statement from Egypt's ministry of interior

Yesterday, the so-called Islamic State released a statement it had repelled an attack by the Egyptian military in the western desert leading to heightened security in the area.

The Mexican foreign ministry has confirmed two Mexican nationals were among those killed.

Mexico's president Enrique Peña Nieto has condemned the attack and demanded a full investigation into the incident by the Egyptian government.