8th January 2016 - Egypt: Hurghada

Special Advisory - Egypt: Hurghada: Attack at hotel reflects militant reach; expect heightened security, travel disruption (Revised 21.50 GMT)

Latest reports suggests that three gunmen on 8 January opened fire on the entrance of the Bella Vista hotel in Hurghada (Red Sea governorate), injuring at least two foreign tourists variously reported to be Austrian, German, Danish or Swedish nationals. Some accounts suggest that the incident may have involved the assailants stabbing tourists and that the gunfire was part of the police response; one or two of the three attackers have reportedly been killed.

The security forces have reportedly sealed off the area. Details are still emerging and members should continue to avoid the hotel's vicinity and monitor developments closely.

Travel Briefing

The incident, which now appears to have ended, is very unusual for Hurghada, which in recent years has experienced minimal militant activity. As such, the security response should be expected to be stringent in the coming hours and days, both around the Bella Vista hotel and at the town's key transport hubs and vehicle entry points. Due to the security measures likely to be in place and the potential for further follow-up operations to locate at least one remaining assailant, members should avoid the affected area, minimise unnecessary local movement in the town over the coming hours and carry identification at all times.

The attackers have not been identified and there has so far been no claim of responsibility. However, the incident occurred one day after a shooting at a hotel in Giza (Giza governorate), which was subsequently claimed by extremist militants affiliated to the Islamic State (IS) movement. Security officers have told the media that the three assailants in Hurghada arrived by sea to carry out the attack. While it is unclear from where they may have travelled, the use of maritime transport in the conduct of such an attack would be a novel tactic, highlighting domestic militants' range of capabilities.

Background

Hotels have in recent years rarely been targets of militant violence in the country, and while two such incidents do not constitute a trend, the development warrants close monitoring. The tourism industry more broadly has been a periodic target for domestic militants in Egypt, and the Hurghada attack should be viewed in that context.

The sector's importance to government revenue is likely to continue to motivate militants to carry out further such attacks on a sporadic basis with the intention of harming the government by damaging vulnerable economic sectors. Other recent high-profile attacks on the tourism sector include:

  • 31 October 2015: A Russian Metrojet flight from Sharm al-Sheikh (South Sinai governorate) crashed in the Sinai peninsula, killing all 224 people aboard. Russian-led investigations concluded that the aircraft had been brought down by a bomb, and the downing was claimed by the North Sinai-based, IS-affiliated Sinai Province group.
  • 10 June 2015: Gunmen attempted to attack the ancient Karnak Temple complex in Luxor (Luxor governorate), a popular tourist attraction; their efforts were mostly foiled, though one suicide bomber managed to detonate his explosive vest in a car park, and four people were injured in the incident.
  • 16 February 2014: A suicide bomber entered a South Korean religious tour group's bus in Taba (South Sinai) and detonated his explosive vest, killing four people and injuring up to 30 others. The attack was claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which later changed its name to Sinai Province when it pledged allegiance to IS.

Travel Advice Summary

  • Continue to avoid the vicinity of the hotel and minimise unnecessary movement in Hurghada due to the unclear nature of the situation. Any members staying at the affected hotel should remain in their room and liaise with hotel security staff.
  • Expect heightened security in Hurghada and at the town's entry points in the coming days; carry photo identification to facilitate passage through any checkpoints.
  • Travel to Egypt continues to require security precautions, pre-travel briefings and flexible itineraries.
  • Remain vigilant, avoid potential targets for militant attacks and be prepared to leave an area immediately in the event of an incident.
  • Contact your nearest Assistance Centre or visit our Egypt pages for further information and advice regarding travel to Egypt.