Mexicans mistaken for militants killed in Egypt

MEXICO CITY — Eight Mexicans were killed in an apparently mistaken attack by Egyptian security forces that killed 12 people and wounded 10, the sister of a Mexican reiki healer who was among the dead said on Monday, citing a relative of their slain guide.

Mexico’s foreign ministry said on Monday at least two Mexicans were killed, though Egyptian security and judicial sources later said that eight Mexicans and four Egyptians were killed, and that eight Mexicans and two Egyptians were wounded.

Rafael Bejarano, an alternative healer and musician who had visited Egypt more than a dozen times, was killed in the attack, and his mother Marisela Rangel Davalos, 63, was among six Mexicans injured and in hospital.

“I don’t think they were mistaken (for militants),” Bejarano’s sister Gabriela told local radio. “As far as I understand ... they were dining when they came under attack. They were in a permitted area. On this occasion they didn’t stay to camp, because that was what was not permitted.”

She said a relative of the guide had sent her a list of eight Mexicans killed in the incident.

Araceli Rangel Davalos, Marisela’s sister, said she knew the group’s guide, an Egyptology expert whom she identified as Nabil Altawami, well. She had not yet spoken to her sister.

Mexican tourists who survived the attack said they were bombed by military helicopters and an aircraft while they stopped for a break in the western desert, Mexico’s foreign minister said.