Tour operators are continuing to “monitor the situation in Egypt closely”, as protests rage in the country’s cities, following the bloody massacre of 633 demonstrators on Wednesday. Sharm el Sheikh was among a number of cities which had a curfew on August 14, following the violence, although the curfew was lifted in Sharm yesterday morning. The British Foreign Office has also issued a new warning on Egypt, after the Red Sea resort of Hurghada saw violent clashes. In a statement on its website, the FCO said: “In Hurghada on August 14 there were some violent clashes.” It noted that this was in an area “away from tourist resorts”, but it said one man had been killed. Hurghada police are continuing to advise tourists to remain in hotel grounds, with tourists “strongly advised to avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings”. Thomas Cook has cancelled its excursions from the Red Sea resorts to Cairo, Luxor, Moses Mountain and St Catherine’s Monastery. However it said some excursions would be operating again from August 16 within the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh, including boat and diving excursions, quads and city tours. Cook also insisted that no tourist areas at the Red Sea had been affected by the recent demonstrations bar the evening curfew in Sharm on August 14. It said it had received confirmation that this curfew has since been lifted for the resort. “Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada are fully operational and holidaymakers are continuing to enjoy these popular resorts,” a spokesperson added. Thomson said all its excursions in the Red Sea resorts would also resume from today. Meanwhile the FCO is also continuing to advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the country, except for resorts on the Red Sea. It comes as Egypt braced itself for further protests today, after it received international condemnation for its crackdown on supporters of the ousted president Morsi, which left at least 633 people dead on Wednesday. Morsi’s supporters have planned to converge on central Ramses Square from city mosques after Friday prayers. A state of emergency is in force for the country, and police have been authorised to use live ammunition in self-defence.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 11:48:23 +0000
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