Egyptian security forces have killed 12 people, including Mexican tourists, during an anti-terror operation in the Wahat area of the Western Desert.

In a statement, the interior ministry said the mistake had occurred as the group entered a restricted area.

Reports suggest a further ten Mexicans and Egyptians were also injured and are being treated in a local hospital.

The ministry said it had formed a team to investigate the incident.

Four vehicles the tourists were travelling in were “mistakenly dealt with” during a joint military police and armed forces operation, the statement read.

The group of tourists was preparing to camp out in the vast Western Desert when they came under fire.