site.btaForeign Ministry Issues Recommendations for Bulgarians Travelling to, Residing in Egypt

Foreign Ministry Issues Recommendations for Bulgarians Travelling to, Residing in Egypt

Sofia, April 10 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry published on Monday recommendations for Bulgarian citizens travelling to or residing in Egypt. The Ministry advises against visiting churches, mosques and crowded places, such as shopping areas.

The Foreign Ministry says that a state of emergency has been introduced across Egypt for a period of three months following the April 9 terrorist attacks in Egypt. The Egyptian President has ordered all security services in the country to be put on high alert and to enhance security measures across sites and facilities of national importance, as well as to have the terrorist attack's perpetrators and accomplices arrested and brought to justice.

In connection to the increased terrorist activity and the state of emergency introduced in Egypt, the Foreign Ministry advises Bulgarians who have already made travel reservations for Egypt for the purpose of tourism to only travel via licensed tour operators and not embark on any tourist trips alone. Visiting any churches and mosques or crowded places, such as shopping areas, concert halls, stadiums is not advisable.

The Foreign Ministry warns that during a state of emergency, the police can arrest citizens without a court order and can search residences at their own discretion. In case of an incident involving the Egyptian authorities, Bulgarians are advised to immediately get in touch with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Cairo and to strictly follow any travel advice published on the Ministry's website.

President Rumen Radev has sent a letter of condolences to his Egyptian Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in the wake of the terrorist attacks carried out at Coptic churches in the country, which killed numerous people, the President's Press Secretariat reported. Radev voices his and the Bulgarian people's deep outrage over the terrorist attacks in Tanta and Alexandria, which claimed dozens of victims.

In the wake of the terror attacks on Palm Sunday, Patriarch Neophyte has sent his condolences to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of all Africa, the Holy Synod said Monday. The Bulgarian Patriarch also sent a letter of condolences to the President of Egypt Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

"On one of the holiest Christian feasts, Palm Sunday, when all Christians gather to hail the Savior, it was with profound sadness and pain that we learnt about the bloody attacks in Tanta and Alexandria. They killed dozens and injured hundreds of innocent people," the Patriarch said in his letter.

Patriarch Neophyte also expressed condolences to the families of the people who died and hope that by the mercy of God the injured will heal quickly.