CAIRO: The remains of eight Mexican tourists who were mistakenly killed by Egyptian security security forces in the Sahara Desert near the Bahariya Oasis will be repatriated Tuesday dawn, Youm7 reported.
The dead bodies were sent to Cairo International Airport Cargo Village Monday noon after being examined by forensic medicine physicians at Cairo-based Zenhoum morgue, where a number of Mexican diplomats were waiting.
Mexican diplomats wait out of Cairo-based Zenhoum morgue – YOUM7
The Egyptian Interior Ministry stated Monday that Egyptian security forces had killed 12 people (eight Mexicans and four Egyptians) and wounded another 10 (six Mexicans and four Egyptians) “by accident” when they mistook a convoy of mainly Mexican tourists for a militant group in the Oasis.
The six Mexicans who survived the incident told Mexico’s ambassador to Egypt they had been bombed by helicopters and an aircraft while they stopped for a break in the desert, according to Reuters.
Mexican diplomats wait out of Cairo-based Zenhoum morgue – YOUM7
The six Mexican injured tourists (five women and a man) went back their home Friday; they have been taken in stretchers and wheelchairs, AP reported.
Mexican diplomats wait out of Cairo-based Zenhoum morgue – YOUM7
Egypt imposed Wednesday media gag on investigations into the killing of the tourists until the conclusion of the state’s inquiry.
Additional reporting by Ahmed Gaafari.