Ten of the 15 Vietnamese tourists struck by a bus bombing in Cairo, Egypt last week are expected to return to Vietnam today, January 1. Those seriously injured and the bodies of the three dead tourists will be flown home at a later date.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (2nd R) visits a Vietnamese victim in hospital – PHOTO: VNA

Saigontourist Travel Service Company, which arranged the ill-fated tour program, said the group of tourists includes three ill-fated victims – two tourists in their late 50s and their 29-year-old tour guide from Vietnam; two uninjured tourists; and 10 injured people.

Among the injured, eight sustained minor injuries while the others are severely wounded and required surgery.

The tour operator plans to bring 10 of the slightly injured and uninjured people back to Vietnam today.

For the seriously injured who need further treatment, the company has dispatched its staff to take care of them, along with the relatives of the victims. They will return to Vietnam as soon as their condition stabilizes.

The company is rushing to carry out procedures to return the bodies of the deceased on a special flight. The procedures for these three victims will be completed on Wednesday, January 2.

At meetings with Egyptian authorities, Saigontourist verified that the bus was, at the time, travelling on the right route, without any prohibition signs, for locals and tourists.

Its partner, Egypt Explorer Tours, also confirmed that the driver was carrying the group of tourists on a planned route in compliance with regulations and other instructions from the local authority.

“The group had finished its itinerary, and the accident occurred when the bus was on its way to a restaurant (for dinner) before heading for the airport so the tourists could fly back to their home country,” said Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing and communications director at Saigontourist.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Tran Thanh Cong told the Vietnam News Agency that he was working with the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to seek help and favorable conditions for the Vietnamese people who hope to return home soon, while taking care of those being treated at the hospital and preparing all the necessary procedures to repatriate the bodies of the three dead victims.

Egyptian authorities are speeding up the investigation into the bomb blast to bring the perpetrators to light as soon as possible, according to the diplomat.

He warned other ongoing groups of Vietnamese tourists to stick to their trip itineraries.

SGT