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Tunisia shooting: Eight dead and six wounded at Bardo Museum Tunisia shooting: Eight dead and six wounded at Bardo Museum
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen have fatally shot at least eight people and wounded six others at Tunisia's largest museum where a hostage situation is thought to be taking place, amid reports that shots were fired earlier at the nearby parliament building. Gunmen have fatally shot at least eight people and wounded six others at Tunisia's largest museum where a hostage situation is thought to be taking place.
Interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui told Radio Mosaique that one Tunisian and seven foreigners were killed during the attack on the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis. He did not provide nationalities for the other victims. Shots were also fired earlier at the nearby parliament building, according to Tunisian state media.
Security forces are now surrounding the museum in the North African country where two militants are holed up inside, as the interior ministry attempts to verify reports that tourists are being taken hostage. Describing the shooting as a "terrorist attack", interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui told reporters that "two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs" killed seven foreigners at the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis, Al Jazeera reported.
Foreign tourists ran for shelter, covered by security forces aiming rifles into the air, live television footage showed. Security forces are now surrounding the museum in the North African country where "two or more attackers and hostages are still being held", Mr Aroui added.
Tunisian security forces secure the area around the Bardo Museum. (Image: AFP) Members of the Tunisian security services take up positions outside the museum (Image: EPA) Images emerging on social media reportedly taken by a hostage appear to show around 30 tourists gathered inside a room adorned with mosaics. Amateur video footage believed to be from the scene appears to show Tunisian forces surrounding the museum.
Tunisian security forces secure the area around the Bardo Museum. (Image: AFP) Members of the Tunisian security services take up positions outside the museum (Image: EPA)
Live television footage showed tourists running for shelter, covered by security forces aiming rifles into the air.
Images emerging on social media reportedly taken by a hostage appear to show around 30 tourists gathered inside a room adorned with mosaics.
According to reports from the Radio Mosaique, three men dressed in military-style clothing stormed the museum.According to reports from the Radio Mosaique, three men dressed in military-style clothing stormed the museum.
Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi is due to make a public statement to the nation shortly, spokesman Moez Sinaoui told AFP.
a tweet by one of the hostages at Bardo museum #Tunisia #Hostages pic.twitter.com/hmvyyHYZQBa tweet by one of the hostages at Bardo museum #Tunisia #Hostages pic.twitter.com/hmvyyHYZQB
The UK Foreign Office said it was unable to confirm reports that two Britons were among those dead.The UK Foreign Office said it was unable to confirm reports that two Britons were among those dead.
A spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into the serious situation in Tunisia."A spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into the serious situation in Tunisia."
At least three Polish citizens and two Italians were wounded in the attack, according to their respective officials.At least three Polish citizens and two Italians were wounded in the attack, according to their respective officials.
An official at the Italian foreign ministry in Rome added that around 100 Italians were in the area and had been taken to safety by Tunisian police.An official at the Italian foreign ministry in Rome added that around 100 Italians were in the area and had been taken to safety by Tunisian police.
French Prime Minister Manuel Carlos Valls has said France would help its former colony in the wake of the tragic attack.French Prime Minister Manuel Carlos Valls has said France would help its former colony in the wake of the tragic attack.
"We are condemning this terrorist attack in the strongest terms," Valls said speaking after a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels.
"We are standing by the Tunisian government. We are very alert about how the situation is evolving," he added.
The Parliament building in Tunisia where gunshots were reportedly fired (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Earlier, the TAP state media agency reported that gunshots broke out at the country's parliament at midday.The Parliament building in Tunisia where gunshots were reportedly fired (Image: Wikimedia Commons) Earlier, the TAP state media agency reported that gunshots broke out at the country's parliament at midday.
A witness near the parliament told Reuters a large police presence was moving to evacuate the government building.A witness near the parliament told Reuters a large police presence was moving to evacuate the government building.
Politicians and staff have gathered in the building's hall, a member of parliament told AFP.
The incident marks the first attack on a tourist site in years in Tunisia, since its shaky young democracy was founded in 2011.The incident marks the first attack on a tourist site in years in Tunisia, since its shaky young democracy was founded in 2011.
Built in the 15th century, the museum stands adjacent to the national Parliament building, and includes one of the world's largest collections of Roman mosaics.Built in the 15th century, the museum stands adjacent to the national Parliament building, and includes one of the world's largest collections of Roman mosaics.
The Bardo Museum in Tunis where eight people have been shot dead. (Getty Images) It is unclear who the attackers are. However, Tunisia has struggled with violence by Islamic extremists in recent years, who emerged after the country's 2011 uprising against autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.The Bardo Museum in Tunis where eight people have been shot dead. (Getty Images) It is unclear who the attackers are. However, Tunisia has struggled with violence by Islamic extremists in recent years, who emerged after the country's 2011 uprising against autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.
The attack is likely to damage Tunisia's efforts to revive its tourism industry.The attack is likely to damage Tunisia's efforts to revive its tourism industry.
It comes the day after Tunisian security officials confirmed the death in neighbouring Libya of a leading suspect in Tunisian terror attacks and the killings of two opposition figures in Tunisia.It comes the day after Tunisian security officials confirmed the death in neighbouring Libya of a leading suspect in Tunisian terror attacks and the killings of two opposition figures in Tunisia.
More to followMore to follow
Additional reporting by AP and ReutersAdditional reporting by AP and Reuters