This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/shots-fired-at-tunisian-parliament-10116173.html

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Tunisia shooting: 11 dead including two gunmen at Bardo Museum Tunisia shooting: At least 17 killed at Bardo Museum in Tunis
(35 minutes later)
Security officials have killed two gunmen to end a standoff at a leading Tunisian Museum where eight tourists and one police officer were fatally killed, and six others were wounded. Security officials have killed two gunmen to end a standoff at a leading Tunisian Museum where 17 tourists and one police officer were fatally killed, amid fears that others involved in the incident are still at large.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that two British tourists were among those shot dead at the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis. Tunisian Prime Minister, Habib Essid, has said that 19 people were killed at the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis, including 17 tourists from Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain. Unconfirmed reports suggest that two British tourists were among those shot dead.
The policeman was killed as security forces attempted to save those held hostage inside, according to the interior ministry. Another 22 tourists were injured and another two Tunisian men, Mr Essid said, adding that the gunmen may have had had two or three helpers. An operation is still underway to find the others, he said according to The Guardian.
Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said on Radio Mosaique that the standoff is now over, and the hostages are believed to be free. The policeman was killed as security forces attempted to save those held hostage inside the museum, who have since been freed, according to the interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui.
Describing the shooting as a "terrorist attack", Mr Aroui told reporters earlier today that "two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs" killed seven foreigners at the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis, Al Jazeera reported.Describing the shooting as a "terrorist attack", Mr Aroui told reporters earlier today that "two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs" killed seven foreigners at the Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis, Al Jazeera reported.
Amateur video footage believed to be from the scene appears to show Tunisian forces surrounding the museum. Amateur video footage believed to be from the scene before the gunmen were shot 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.Live television footage showed tourists running for shelter, covered by security forces aiming rifles into the air.
Images reportedly taken by a hostage which emerged on social media appeared to show around 30 tourists gathered inside a room adorned with mosaics. Images reportedly taken by a hostage which emerged on social media before police officers killed the gunmen, appear to show around 30 tourists gathered inside a room adorned with mosaics.
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 the dead.The UK Foreign Office said it was unable to confirm reports that two Britons were among the 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 the countries' respective officials. At least three Polish citizens and two Italians were wounded in the attack, the countries' respective officials said prior to Mr Essid's announcement.
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 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."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. French foreign minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement minutes after the crisis ended: "It is not by chance that today's terrorism affects a country that represents hope for the Arab world. The hope for peace, the hope for stability, the hope for democracy. This hope must live." 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.
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