Egyptian government officials said the men were among a gang who had amassed nearby, who went on to shoot “cartridges” towards the hotel, a short drive from Cairo’s most famous ancient site. “There has been some damage to the hotel’s glass windows, as well as damage to a tourist bus” in front of the building, they said in a statement.
The nationalities of those apparently targeted have not been confirmed, but two Israelis were reportedly among the tourists.
#Égypte Des tireurs à moto ouvrent le feu en direction d’un hôtel et d’un bus de touristes à #Giza? pic.twitter.com/77VRxribLn
— LeCoMax (@lecomaxnews)
7 Janvier 2016
Although there were no injuries reported, this latest attack appearing to target foreigners will likely be another blow to Egypt’s beleaguered tourism industry, particularly given the proximity to the Giza pyramids, one of the country’s main draws.
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This is not the first time there have been gun attacks in the Giza area, although the latest attack will do little to settle concerns about visitor and resident safety in Egypt’s capital.
Two bombs exploded near Giza Zoo and the Four Seasons hotel in 2014.
Last November masked men on motorbikes opened fire on police officers in Giza, killing four, while security services said they foiled an attempted attack on tourists at Luxor.
Egypt has struggled to attract visitors since 2011, following the political turmoil around the ousting of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. The political vacuum has been exploited by Islamist groups, including Isil, which has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks and kidnaps. In November last year it said it was behind the downing of a Russian passenger jet carrying tourists from the beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, leading to the death of all 224 people on board. The investigation into the exact cause of the incident has not yet concluded.
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The British Foreign Office does not currently advise against travel to Cairo or the Giza pyramids but says there is a high threat of terrorism in the country.
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