AN ENTIRE museum containing ancient artefacts was emptied by looters as fears emerged that the Egyptian authorities have downplayed the extent of the pillaging.

Former Egyptian museum director Wafaa el-Saddik said the National Museum in Cairo was looted by its own security guards and that the Memphis Museum, south of Cairo, was "completely emptied" by looters.

"I alerted an army general but it was too late," he said.