The Dutch foreign affairs ministry on Friday evening recommended against all but strictly necessary trips to Egyptian beach resorts on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba, in line with most other EU countries.

Travel had earlier been recommended against to all but the holiday resorts but the ministry has now decided to tighten up its guidelines following Wednesday’s massacre and continuing unrest.

Dutch nationals who are poised to leave on holiday for Egypt should first make contact with their travel company, the minister said. Two foreign office staff have now arrived in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheik to assess the situation and monitor events.