TUI has said it will cancel all holidays purchase by German holidaymakers to Egypt until at least the middle of September.

Escalating violence in the country following the removal of president Mohamed Morsi last month has prompted the move.

Europe’s largest tour operator confirmed those already in the country would be able to stay until the end of the trips.

However, customers wishing to return home should contact their tour managers, explained a statement from the company.

“TUI is monitoring the situation in Egypt very closely and has an emergency task force which is in constant contact with the authorities and the tour leaders on site,” added TUI.

TUI UK-subsidiary Thomson said bookings for its British customers to the Red Sea resorts could go ahead as planned at the moment, adding that the “safety of our customers is always our number one priority”.

Thomas Cook has cancelled all excursions from the Red Sea resorts to the tourist areas of Cairo, Luxor, Moses Mountain and Saint Catherine’s monastery.

The FCO travel advice remains unchanged, with the Red Sea tourist area including Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada unaffected and operating as normal, bar an evening curfew in Sharm el Sheikh that took place and was observed on August 14th 2013.

“We have received confirmation that this was a one-off occurrence and that the curfew has since been lifted for the resort,” said Thomas Cook.