Russian tourism agency to observe situation in Egyptian resorts

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Representatives of the Russian tourism industry would soon visit Egypt to assess the security situation, the federal tourism agency Rostourism said Thursday.

"These representatives will be monitoring the situation in the resort areas," Rostourism spokeswoman Irina Shchegolkova told reporters.

She said Rostourism workers would assist Russian nationals if necessary, adding some 50,000 Russian holiday-makers were in Egypt.

The tourism agency also had set up a hotline for Russian citizens in Egypt, its website said.

Egypt, along with Turkey, is the most popular "sun destination" among Russians, who are attracted by the relatively low cost of holiday packages there and few visa restrictions.

On Wednesday, Russia closed its consular section in Cairo for two days, citing security concerns amid a "dangerous escalation of the domestic political crisis." The Russian Foreign Ministry warned citizens not to leave the guarded resorts and not to travel to the major cities, including Cairo.

However, Rostourism said the turmoil had so far barely affected the number of the Russians planning vacations in Egypt.

The Egyptian Interior Ministry said Thursday at least 343 people were killed when security forces and police broke up two sit-ins by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday.