30 Dec 2018

New Zealanders in Egypt get safety warnings after bombing

7:52 pm on 30 December 2018

New Zealanders in Egypt have been contacted with safety warnings by a government agency, following a bombing and revelations that a series of attacks on tourists were planned.

This picture taken on December 28, 2018 shows a tourist bus which was attacked being towed away from the scene, in Giza province south of the Egyptian capital Cairo.

A tourist bus which was attacked yesterday being towed away from the scene in Giza province, south of Cairo. Photo: AFP

Egypt's interior ministry says police killed 40 terrorists in a series of raids in two parts of Egypt, after a tourist bus was bombed yesterday, killing four who were onboard, and injuring eleven.

The ministry says the terrorists had planned a series of attacks against tourists, churches and state institutions.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said it has contacted all New Zealanders in Egypt registered with their SafeTravel programme.

MFAT has warned against travel to some areas of Egypt, but says the situation is unstable and dangerous throughout the entire country.

At least 86 New Zealanders are in Egypt at the moment.