Egypt to investigate deadly attack against Mexicans

Mexican Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu says Mexicans wounded in a mistake attack in Egypt have told Mexico's ambassador to Cairo that they were subject to an aerial attack with bombs launched from an airplane and helicopters.

At a news conference on Monday in Mexico City, Ruiz Massieu confirmed that at least two Mexicans were killed in the attack and six were wounded.

She also says Egyptian officials have promised to form an investigative committee headed by the country's prime minister and pledged "an expedited investigation in depth."

Mexico has sent a diplomatic note expressing "profound dismay" and demanding an investigation. Also, Mexico's Embassy in Cairo cancelled its independence day celebration scheduled for Tuesday.

Ibrahim Mehleb, Egypt's acting prime minister, visited the wounded in Dar el-Fouad Hospital in suburban Cairo on Monday. Mehleb, whose government resigned last week, will remain in his post until a successor can be chosen.

"We are standing next to the Mexican people in their tragedy. The circumstances surrounding the incident are part of Egypt's fight against terrorism. The Mexican side is receiving the best care and we will take care of the Egyptian victims," Mehleb said after his visit. "This is a painful incident and I give my deepest condolences to the Egyptian people and our guests the Mexicans, and I have spoken to the Mexican ambassador and relayed my condolences."

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zaid says acting Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry spoke by telephone Monday morning with his Mexican counterpart Claudia Ruiz Massieu and explained to her the circumstances that surrounded the incident, saying the tourists were in a restricted area and the army and police were chasing militants who were in SUVs similar to those used by the tourists.

Shoukry assured Massieu that the Interior Ministry is investigating the incident and that the Egyptian government will extend all possible assistance, including medical treatment for the injured and transporting the bodies of the dead back to their home country.

Yesterday Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto condemned the deaths of Mexican tourists and demanded a thorough investigation.