The army spokesperson released a statement on Monday saying two soldiers had died during training exercises near the Great Pyramids of Giza. The search and rescue training was held in commemoration of Sinai Liberation Day by the Egyptian air force, and eyewitnesses reported seeing several helicopters flying over the Pyramids with soldiers rappelling on to the Pyramid of Cheops.

According to military spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali, Captain Wael Ibrahim Al-Murr and Mohamed Zachariah Ali from the air force search and rescue centre were killed yesterday, although no details were given.

A video shot by an eyewitness shows two soldiers rappelling onto Cheops. After a short while the two soldiers are seen being lifted back onto the army Chinook helicopter moments before the rope snapped and sent them plummeting to their death.

Mohamed Ali said the army extends their condolences to the families of the deceased.