20 tourists killed in an attack on a museum in Tunis – BBC Russian

• March 18, 2015

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At least 22 people, including 20 foreign tourists were killed in an attack by armed militants in the eponymous capital of Tunisia, informed the Prime Minister Habib Essid country.

According to the Prime Minister, among the dead – the citizens of Italy, Spain, Poland and Germany, as well as two Tunisians, one of whom was a police officer.

Later, the President of Colombia confirmed the deaths of two citizens of this country.

Witnesses say the attackers fired at tourists get off the bus, and then entered the museum

On Wednesday, the unknown, armed with machine guns broke into the museum, located next to the building of the Parliament of Tunisia, and opened fire on visitors, officials said.

According Essida and injured 22 tourists and two Tunisians. In other news the number of victims could reach 50 people.

Critical moment

The attackers took hostage dozens of people, among them – tourists from European countries. In the ensuing operation of the security forces killed two attackers were also killed one policeman. All the hostages were rescued. At the moment, the security services are combing the surrounding neighborhoods for possible accomplices of the attackers.

Security forces cordoned off the Tunisian museum building

During the attack, members of parliament in Tunisia, located in the vicinity of the museum, discussing a bill to combat terrorism. The meeting had to be interrupted, and the deputies – evacuate.

At first, it was reported that the parliament building was the goal of the attackers. Later it became clear that the gunmen broke into the nearby museum “Bardo”.

An employee Museum told Reuters that two militants opened fire on tourists get off the bus, and then rushed into the museum.

More than two dozen people were injured in the attack

“This is a critical moment in our history and a moment that will define our future – the prime minister said in an address to the people. – We have not yet identified two terrorists. The report is not final. According to reports, those two terrorists could help two or three agents “.

According to a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior of Tunisia, in the attack involved” two or more terrorists, armed with Kalashnikovs “.

plainclothes police officers inspect the cars on the streets adjacent to the museum

National Museum “Bardot”, famous for its collection of antiquities, is popular among tourists coming to Tunisia.

Tourism is of paramount importance for the economy of Tunisia, whose resorts attract tourists from European countries. Among all countries emerging revolution “Arab Spring”, the change of power in Tunisia accompanied by the lowest level of violence.

In recent years, security in Tunisia is a growing concern as the situation in neighboring Libya is becoming increasingly unstable.

A significant number of Tunisians have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq. There are fears that Islamic militants to go back and arrange attacks at home.