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Tunis attack: Gunmen kill tourists in museum raid Tunis attack: Gunmen kill tourists in museum rampage
(35 minutes later)
Nineteen people, including 17 foreign tourists, have been killed after gunmen targeted a museum in the Tunisian capital, the prime minister says. 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.
Media reports suggest the death toll could be as high as 22. Some media reports suggest the death toll could be as high as 22.
Security forces killed two gunmen and were searching for accomplices, the prime minister said. Security forces killed two gunmen and were searching the surrounding area for accomplices, Mr Essid said.
The attack happened at the Bardo Museum in central Tunis. At the time of the attack, deputies in the neighbouring parliamentary building were discussing anti-terrorism legislation. Parliament was evacuated following the attack.
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.
At least 22 tourists and two Tunisians were injured in the attack, Mr Essid said.
Live updates from the BBCLive 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." 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 underway", with forces "continuing to comb the area to find out the remaining operatives, if any", he said. Security operations were "still under way", he added.
The remaining hostages held at the museum had been freed, Reuters news agency reported, citing an unnamed government official. 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 there had been "a growing crowd" of at least 500 people outside the museum following the attack. Eyewitness Yasmine Ryan told the BBC she saw "helicopters flying overhead" and "tanks rolling in" as the security situation unfolded.
She said 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.
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 reports.
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 MuseumThe Bardo National Museum
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini offered her condolences (in French) to the victims' families, 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".
"The EU is determined to mobilise all the tools it has to fully support Tunisia in the fight against terrorism," she added. 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".
The Bardo museum, renowned for its collection of antiquities, is a major attraction in Tunis.
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.
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