Mexico City, Mexico –  Egyptian Ambassador to Mexico, Yasser Shaban, said in an interview published Sunday by the Mexico City daily El Universal that he could not confirm that the army was behind the attack that killed eight Mexican tourists outside Cairo.

"I can't assure you at this time that it was something done by the army, since they were conducting an operation at that very time in the same area," the ambassador said.

The investigating commission formed by the Egyptian Attorney General's Office will determine who carried out the attack, Shaban said, adding that the army often conducts joint operations with other security forces.

Eight Mexicans died in the Sept. 13 attack on an oasis in the Western Desert.

Four Egyptians, including a tourist guide, also died in the attack, according to Egyptian officials, who said security forces mistook the tourists for terrorists they were pursuing.

"Operations were being conducted by the army in coordination with the police against terrorist groups in the area, indicating that it was an attack in error because they mistook these people" for terrorists, the ambassador said.

"We cannot confirm anything yet about what happened, or who perpetrated it," Shaban said.

The tourists likely entered the restricted area "by mistake" after going off the main road, the ambassador said, adding that the area where they were attacked "has no places of interest to visit."

Shaban did not provide El Universal with any details about the investigation being conducted by Egyptian authorities.

The six Mexicans hurt in the attack are being treated for shrapnel wounds, burns, respiratory problems and fractures at the National Rehabilitation Institute in Mexico City. 

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter& Instagram