Seven foreigners and a Tunisian were killed after gunmen targeted a museum in the Tunisian capital, officials say.
The tourists killed were, Italian, French and Spanish nationals.
The shooting happened at the Bardo Museum, which is next to the parliament building in central Tunis on Wednesday Morning.
At the time of the attack deputies were discussing anti-terrorism legislation. Parliament has now been evacuated.
“A terrorist attack [targeted] the Bardo Museum,” interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui told journalists.” He added that the attack involved “two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs.”
Most tourists were evacuated but some were still believed to be inside, Aroui said, adding that security forces had entered the museum. The museum, famous for its collection of antiquities, is a major tourist attraction in Tunis.
Concerns about security in Tunisia have increased as neighboring Libya has become increasingly unstable. A large number of Tunisians have also left to fight in Syria and Iraq, causing worries that returning militants could carry out attacks at home.
WhatsApp us