Mexico City, Sep 15 (IANS): Mexico demanded Egypt launch a "swift and in-depth" investigation into the "accidental airstrike" on tourists including 15 Mexicans.

Egyptian police forces who suspected a convoy of four vehicles were carrying terrorists, dropped bombs from an airplane and helicopters, reported Xinhua news agency.

Egypt's Interior Ministry on Monday admitted the police forces mistakenly opened fire on the tourist convoy while chasing terrorists, killing 12 travellers and guides.

Official reports said two Mexican tourists were killed and six others hospitalised with injuries.

However, Egypt's news service Al Arabiya reported "the number of Mexican tourists killed by Egyptian security has risen to eight."

Mexico's Tourism Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu on Monday expressed the government's "profound dismay at these deplorable events", and urged Egyptian authorities to "assign the highest priority and urgency" to clear up the case and hold those responsible accountable.

Egyptian authorities insisted the tourists had entered a restricted zone that is off-limits to civilians, adding the organisers of the excursion will be punished.

Egypt embassy in Mexico said "an investigative committee will be established to resolve the case and publish the results," according to Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry.