The Egyptian Red Sea resort of Dahab is cleaning up after a triple bomb attack in the bustling heart of the town killed at least 23 people.

Police have descended on the small town, which is popular with backpackers and scuba divers, to search for evidence and clues.

Dahab's clear waters are famous for their marine life and coral reefs. After the blasts, dive instructors entered the bay to search for body parts and pieces of shrapnel.

Some tourists are reported to have left the town, but many are staying despite heightened security.

The bombs struck in the centre of the compact town, where restaurants line the seafront and souvenir stalls vie for passing trade.

Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif visited the scene on Tuesday, offering his condolences amid a scrum of media and local onlookers.

Most of those killed were Egyptians celebrating a spring holiday to mark the anniversary of Israel's pullout from Sinai.

The clean-up may be under way, but the scars in this laid-back town are likely to take longer to heal.