Egyptian security forces mistake tourists for terrorists, killing 12

Egyptian security forces killed 12 tourists and injured 10 after mistaking them for militants, the country's Interior Ministry said.

The attack happened Saturday within a so-called restricted area.

Members of Egypt's military and police were chasing "terrorist elements" in the country's vast western desert region when they came upon the tourists. Among the victims are people from Mexico and Egypt, the ministry said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto mourned the loss of his country's citizens in posts to Twitter.

"Mexico condemns these acts against our citizens and has demanded that the Egyptian government conduct an exhaustive investigation of what happened," he said.

The Mexican ambassador to Egypt is aiding the country's injured citizens who are hospitalized, Nieto said. He has called for the embassy to increase staff to help victims and their families.