President Mubarak of Egypt has promised to relentlessly pursue those responsible for the overnight bomb attacks on Sharm el-Sheikh.
At least 88 people are now reported killed, and up to 200 people injured, in the blasts which are being blamed on Islamist terrorists.
A group linked to al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the authenticity of the claim could not be verified.
World leaders have united in their condemnation of the attacks in which the casualties included several foreign tourists. There are no reports of Irish casualties.
Pope Benedict described the attacks as 'senseless acts', and called on those responsible to lay down their arms.
President Mary McAleese extended sympathy on behalf of the Irish people to President Mubarak.
The first bombing happened in a bazaar area of the resort at about 1am local time, when bars and markets were still crowded with tourists.
It was followed 15 minutes later by explosions at the nearby area of Naama Bay, which is the site of most of the resort's luxury hotels.
The area was the scene of the deadliest attack when an explosives-laden car rammed through the security barrier of the Ghazala Garden hotel and into the reception lobby.
At least 30 people were killed in this blast alone and medics fear more will be found dead in the rubble of the badly damaged structure.
Shaken tourists spoke of mass panic and hysteria as people fled the carnage.
It is believed that British, Dutch, Spanish, French, Qatari, Kuwaiti, Czech and Egyptian citizens are among the dead and injured.
The attacks came on the 53rd anniversary of the 1952 revolution that saw the overthrow of the monarchy as Egyptians enjoyed an extended holiday weekend.
