Thousands of UK nationals remain in the crisis hit capital, Cairo, where a seventh day of civil unrest unfolded.
While some managed to board a handful of flights back to Britain, chaotic scenes at Cairo airport meant many more were left facing an uncertain future.
The Foreign Office announced on Monday it was putting contingency plans in place for British citizens in Egypt. In a statement to the Commons, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said that the government was planning “for all eventualities”.
The Foreign Office would not comment on whether the evacuation of British citizens was being considered. Mr Burt stressed that most Britons in Egypt were in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, but stated that public gatherings should be avoided.
One British mother told how she was forced to flee to a neighbour’s home with her eight- year-old son after a gun battle broke out in front of her home.
Bassma Zora, a teacher who lives in Cairo with her husband Andy MacKenzie, said: “It was terrifying. I just grabbed my son and ran. At the moment people are not attacking expats but I like everyone am afraid we will become targets.”
Some 30,000 Britons are thought to be in Egypt, with an estimated 10,000 in the crisis hit cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.
But despite moves by countries including the United States, India and Turkey to repatriate their citizens, the Foreign Office continued to resist calls to organise a mass evacuation.
While some UK bound flights left Cairo yesterday, delays and cancellations left thousands stranded for another day.
The extension of the night-time curfew across Cairo meant airport staff were unable to get to work, adding to delays and confusion at the international terminals.
Those unable to leave last night spoke of the heightened tensions particularly among the expat community, who fear they could now become targets.
Ms Zora said she had been sheltering at an Egyptian neighbour’s house because she was so frightened for her safety.
She said: “We have been sheltering in each other’s apartments because it feels safer to be in numbers. People today have been looking for bread, if people get hungry they are going to become desperate.”
She said the response by the Foreign Office had been disappointing.
“We don’t want concern from the British government, we want action. Other countries have been sending aircraft and getting their citizens out,” she said.
Louisa Ramsden, who is stranded in Alexandria with her young family was also critical of the government’s response.
She told the BBC: “We have had no help from the British government. We don’t know where to turn for help. We are stuck here.”
Isabel Dalzell, a teacher at the British International School in Cairo, said: “It is the lawlessness we are worried about.
“We do not want to go, we want to stay, but we do not know what is going to happen and where this is all going to end.”
But despite the mounting concern in Cairo and other major cities, things remained calm in the Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh.
Some travel operators were even offering bargain holidays to the region, with five star packages on offer for as little as £433.
