The Foreign Office is investigating reports that two British tourists have been kidnapped by gunmen in Egypt.
Local reports suggest the two were taken in the Sinai Peninsula today as they made their way in a car from Cairo to the popular Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
The kidnappers are reportedly demanding the release of prisoners being held in Alexandria.
Sharm El Sheikh is a popular resort with British tourists
An FCO spokesman said he was aware of the reports.
"We are trying to clarify the situation at this stage," he said.
A spokeswoman for UK travel organisation Abta said: "Nothing has yet been confirmed but it is thought that these tourists may have been in an area which the Foreign Office has advised travellers not to enter.
"It is therefore likely that they may have been travelling independently."
She stressed that holiday companies adhere strictly to Foreign Office travel advice.
Although many UK tour operators have Egypt programmes, trips including Cairo are rare.
Most UK tourists take Nile trips which do not include Cairo or visit the seaside resorts.