Tourists stranded amid Egyptian crisis

HUNDREDS of Irish citizens are attempting to flee Egypt as the country descends further into crisis, sparked by a violent popular revolt.

As large crowds continued to demonstrate their opposition to President Hosni Mubarak’s reign in a sixth day of national protests yesterday, tensions were fuelled by a show of strength by the country’s powerful military.

Minutes before the start of the 4pm curfew, fighter jets made multiple passes over Cairo’s Tahrir (Liberation) Square while there was a significantly increased presence of both army tanks and police — who had been almost unnoticeable for two days — on the ground.

Up to 100 people have lost their lives amid unprecedented calls for an end to President Mubarak’s three-decade rule.

Cairo, Alexandria and Suez have been beset with looting and armed robbery, while gangs have attacked at least four jails freeing thousands of inmates — including hundreds of Muslim militants.

Amid the chaos, it has now emerged that as many as 400 Irish citizens are effectively trapped in the unfolding crisis.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed 200 Irish citizens are working or living in affected areas of Egypt, with most located in Cairo. They are people who have emigrated, left for work purposes or who have dual nationality.

While exact figures were last night unavailable, Irish Travel Agents Association chief executive Pat Dawson said as many as 200 more tourists could also be trapped amid the growing chaos.

In a statement, a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the Irish Government has advised against “all travel to Egypt at this time” and that any citizens in the country should “exercise extreme caution and avoid all demonstrations”.

While the Irish, British and US embassies in Cairo have urged citizens to leave the country, dozens of flights out of Cairo have been delayed or cancelled.

EU foreign ministers are meeting to discuss the crisis later today, with Britain’s foreign secretary William Hague confirming the risk of Egypt “falling into the hands of extremism” will be discussed.

* Irish citizens in Egypt should contact the embassy duty officer in Cairo on [phone].

People in Ireland seeking information should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01-4082999 (8am-10pm) or 01-4780822 outside these hours.