Australians in Egypt Strongly Advised to Leave ASAP After Morsi Ouster
Australians in Egypt are urged by the federal government to consider leaving the country immediately after the toppling of Egyptian leader Mohamed Morsi.
According to the data of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 730 Australians are currently registered being in Egypt before the protests began. Authorities say the number of Australians actually in Egypt could be higher.
Recorded estimates indicate an additional 822 Australians have plans of travelling to Egypt in the coming weeks. A Foreign Affairs spokesperson said Australians who are concerned about their safety in Egypt should consider leaving.
Australians in Egypt are advised to stay away from protests and demonstrations since they may turn violent and threaten Australians' security. The Foreign Affairs spokesperson also recommends that Australians in Egypt should monitor the news for local information on events and developments especially those affecting their safety.
The warning from the Australian government comes after Egyptian military ousted Mr Morsi and announced the suspension of the constitution and early elections. The Morsi government was toppled after days of protests on the streets, leading to violence and bloodshed that left almost 50 people dead.
Tens of thousands of anti-Morsi protesters flocked to Tahrir Square in Cairo in celebration as the embattled Egyptian president was ousted as head of government.
No reports have yet to surface of Australians being dead or injured due to intensifying protests.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's government raised the travel advisory to the second highest level, telling Australians to "reconsider your need to travel." If there is no urgent need to travel to Egypt, Australians should consider cancelling plans or going somewhere else safe.
The Australian embassy in Cairo is open for Australians who require assistance in returning back home and other concerns. The Foreign Affairs department is closely monitoring the situation and keeping communication lines open with local contacts in Egpyt.