THE mistaken attack on Mexican tourists in Egypt's Western desert is a tragedy. The 12 people who died when their sightseeing convoy was hit by an Apache ground-attack helicopter had been confused with a group of Daesh (so-called IS) fighters that security forces had been hunting. The authorities say that the tourists had no business being in a restricted area and the commanders of the ongoing operation to hunt down the terrorists did not know of the tourists' presence. The tour operators claim that they had been given no warnings about a restricted area. They said that they visited the nearby Bahariya oasis frequently and even had a policeman with them as security. Back in Mexico where the deaths of the tourists have caused outrage and anger, the question is being asked how the crew of a technologically-advance helicopter gunship could not have confirmed the target before attacking it.
Moreover, it is being argued, even if the tour company should not have brought its Mexican guests into the area, the Egyptian security forces ought to have had better intelligence and intercepted them and turned them back. The Egyptian government has quite rightly apologized for the horrific error, but is not admitting any responsibility. However, the tour company and angry relatives of the dead and injured Mexicans currently show no sign of letting the matter rest. If this dispute rumbles on it will add an unnecessary extra layer to the tragedy. Somewhere else out in the Western Desert were the terrorists, the real target of the Egyptian security forces. In the wake of the erroneous attack, they were able to slip away to fight again another day. The development of Daesh activity along Egypt's porous border with Libya was long foreseen. As Egypt grapples with terrorist activity in Sinai, the men of violence will be pleased to have opened a second front on the other side of the country. The extra dimension to the tragedy would be if it is allowed to inflict further harm on Egypt's struggling tourist industry, a major source of much-needed foreign currency. The reaction of many tourists actually already in the country or shortly to arrive, appears to have been that they intend to go ahead with their visits. They refuse to give the terrorists a victory by allowing themselves to be “terrorized”. A similar reaction was seen in Tunisia after the murderous June beach attack in which 37, mostly British tourists died. Holidaymakers said that they intended to carry on with their stays. To leave would be to let the terrorists win. Indeed there was an online movement in the UK to back the Tunisian tourist industry by making a point of going to Tunisia. The British government also offered the Tunisians all the support it needed to overcome the effects of the tragedy. But it then promptly issued official advice warning UK citizens not to go to Tunisia. With that advice in place, insurance companies refused to continue covering package tours. British holiday companies ordered their customers home immediately. Those who refused to take the specially chartered planes would have to pay for their own return tickets. So much for support. London currently has limited travel advice for Egypt, which actually includes warnings against all but essential travel in the Western desert. Outside governments should think long and hard before upgrading their terror warnings. London has had several terror attacks yet people still flock there from all over the world.
