This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-31941672
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 8 | Version 9 |
---|---|
Tunis attack: Gunmen kill tourists in museum rampage | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nineteen people, including 17 foreign tourists, have been killed in a gun attack on the Bardo museum in the Tunisian capital, the PM has said. | |
Italian, Spanish, Polish and German citizens were among those killed, as well as a Tunisian and a police officer, PM Habib Essid said. | Italian, Spanish, Polish and German citizens were among those killed, as well as a Tunisian and a police officer, PM Habib Essid said. |
Some media reports suggest the death toll could be as high as 22. | |
Security forces killed two gunmen and were searching the surrounding area for accomplices, Mr Essid said. | |
At the time of the attack, deputies in the neighbouring parliamentary building were discussing anti-terrorism legislation. Parliament was evacuated following the attack. | |
At least 22 tourists and two Tunisians were also injured, Mr Essid said. Other reports suggest up to 50 could have been hurt. | |
Live updates from the BBC | Live updates from the BBC |
Italian, Polish, Spanish, South African, French and Japanese tourists were among the injured, Mosaique FM radio reported. | Italian, Polish, Spanish, South African, French and Japanese tourists were among the injured, Mosaique FM radio reported. |
Mr Essid said: "It is a critical moment in our history, and a defining moment for our future. | |
"We have not established the identity of the two terrorists... Reports are not final, these two terrorists could have been assisted by two or three other operatives." | "We have not established the identity of the two terrorists... Reports are not final, these two terrorists could have been assisted by two or three other operatives." |
Security operations were "still under way", he added. | |
Parliament will hold an extraordinary session on Wednesday evening. Lawmaker Sayida Ounissi said the session would be held inside the Bardo museum. | |
Local television footage showed tourists fleeing to safety, escorted by security forces. | Local television footage showed tourists fleeing to safety, escorted by security forces. |
A museum employee told Reuters the two attackers "opened fire on the tourists as they were getting off the buses before fleeing into the museum". | A museum employee told Reuters the two attackers "opened fire on the tourists as they were getting off the buses before fleeing into the museum". |
'Tanks rolling in' | 'Tanks rolling in' |
Eyewitness Yasmine Ryan told the BBC she saw "helicopters flying overhead" and "tanks rolling in" as the security situation unfolded. | |
The attack is a huge blow for Tunisia's tourism industry and its government, which only emerged at the end of a long political transition several months ago, the BBC's Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says. | |
Islamist militants have tried to derail the democratic transition, which, although fragile, remains the most positive result of the Arab Spring in the Middle East, our correspondent adds. | Islamist militants have tried to derail the democratic transition, which, although fragile, remains the most positive result of the Arab Spring in the Middle East, our correspondent adds. |
The Bardo National Museum | The Bardo National Museum |
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini offered her condolences (in French) to the victims' families, and said the EU would "fully support Tunisia in the fight against terrorism". | |
US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US "stands with the Tunisian people at this difficult time" and would continue to support the government's "efforts to advance a secure, prosperous, and democratic Tunisia". | |
Tourism is a key sector of Tunisia's economy, with large numbers of Europeans visiting the country's resorts. | Tourism is a key sector of Tunisia's economy, with large numbers of Europeans visiting the country's resorts. |
In 2002, 19 people, including 11 German tourists, were killed in a bomb blast at a synagogue in the resort of Djerba. Al-Qaeda said it had carried out that attack. | In 2002, 19 people, including 11 German tourists, were killed in a bomb blast at a synagogue in the resort of Djerba. Al-Qaeda said it had carried out that attack. |
Concerns about security in Tunisia have increased in recent months as neighbouring Libya has become increasingly unstable. | Concerns about security in Tunisia have increased in recent months as neighbouring Libya has become increasingly unstable. |
A large number of Tunisians have also left to fight in Syria and Iraq, triggering worries that returning militants could carry out attacks at home. | A large number of Tunisians have also left to fight in Syria and Iraq, triggering worries that returning militants could carry out attacks at home. |
Are you in the area? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |
Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100. or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. | Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text +44 7624 800 100. or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971. |
Read our terms and conditions. | Read our terms and conditions. |
Have your say | Have your say |