Germany confirms two nationals killed in Egypt attack

Earlier reports suggested at least two tourists were killed and others wounded in the knife attack at a Red Sea beach resort in Hurghada.

"We can now sadly confirm that two German tourists died in the attack at Hurghada," a foreign ministry statement said. 

The assailant has been arrested and is being questioned to determine his motives, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said a preliminary investigation showed the man appeared to have swam from a nearby public beach to access the holiday resort.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but militants linked to the Islamic State group have carried out similar attacks in Egypt in recent years.

The country has been facing a deadly insurgency in the Sinai that has killed hundreds of security personnel, as well as dozens of tourists, since the army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 and led a crackdown on his supporters.

Last year, three tourists were wounded in an attack on the Bella Vista Hotel in Hurghada.

The incident further threatened efforts to repair the country's damaged tourism industry.

Hurghada stretches for 40km of Egypt's Red Sea coast and is renowned for scuba diving. It is a hub for tourists, with many resorts, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.