“Here is the circulating permit reportedly acquired by Windows Of Egypt Tours for the Mexican Tourists,” tweets Sarah El Sirgany (@Ssirgany).

Twelve people, including eight Mexican tourists, were killed when a tourist convoy was attacked by “a plane and helicopters” in the Western Desert, close to the Libyan border. Another 10 people, including more Mexican tourists, were injured in the attack.

Egyptian officials excused the attack saying that the tourists ventured into an off-limits area and were killed by mistake. Claims that the tourists did not have a permit to travel in the region were refuted, when netizens circulated the permit on social media.

According to journalist Louisa Loveluck:

Mexican foreign minister says attack on tourist convoy in Egypt's Western Desert involved “bombs launched by a plane and helicopters.”

— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) September 14, 2015

DC-based analyst Shadi Hamid adds:

Today, Egyptian authorities killed 12 tourists & guides, mistaking them for ISIS, then basically blamed the victims for being in wrong area.

— Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) September 14, 2015

Information on the incident, which took place last night, remain sketchy, with most of the details coming from Mexican officials. Egyptian Tamer El-Ghobashy notes:

It is telling that the details on the killing of tourists in Egypt are coming from Mexican officials rather than Egyptian authorities

— Tamer El-Ghobashy (@TamerELG) September 14, 2015

Egyptian security forces have been embroiled in fighting militants, some affiliated to ISIS, for years. Hundreds of people, including security and army personnel, have been killed in “anti-terror” operations.

This does not excuse the killing of tourists, while having a picnic, in a popular tourist spot. And understandably, Mexican officials are livid. Mexican President Peña Nieto condemned the attack, and called for an investigation.

Mexican President Peña Nieto condemns what happened in Egypt, calls for a thorough investigation https://t.co/AMdYcN7fQp

— Basil El-Dabh الضبع (@basildabh) September 14, 2015

Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs Claudia Ruiz Massieu makes a similar call:

Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs demands full investigation,explanation from Egypt into deaths of 12 citizens https://t.co/JeU9O81JgA

— Bel Trew – بل ترو (@Beltrew) September 14, 2015

Netizens shook their heads in disbelieve at the excuses made by Egyptian government with regards to the incident.

Journalist Bel Trew tweets:

#Egypt tourism min says Mexican tourists army shot dead were in “unapproved” Safari.Police said their actions were “illegal”.Unbelievable

— Bel Trew – بل ترو (@Beltrew) September 14, 2015

She explains:

Western Desert &Siwa near #Libya border-where #Egypt shot dead 12 tourists includ.Mexicans-is popular holiday spot for safaris #FYI

— Bel Trew – بل ترو (@Beltrew) September 14, 2015

Bahraini Salma Says reacts:

Surreal! A country desperately trying to revive tourism kills 10 tourists and makes excuses for it. Not right, Egypt! http://t.co/Y1VM0UsmQj

— salma (@salmasays) September 14, 2015

And journalist Rawya Rageh concludes that this incident is “a direct outcome of a culture of absolute impunity”:

This can only been seen as a direct outcome of a culture of absolute impunity. #Egypt

— Rawya Rageh (@RawyaRageh) September 14, 2015

Meanwhile, the shooting of tourists leaves Egyptian journalist Mohamed El Dahshan wondering:

THINK: we heard about this botched army raid because some victims were foreigners. How many Egyptians are killed this way in raids in Sinai?

— Mohamed El Dahshan (@eldahshan) September 14, 2015

The pressing question now is why were the tourists killed, in a country which prides as being a mecca for tourists.