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Tunisia museum shooting: Country in shock as Tunis attack leaves more than 20 people dead

There has been shock that terrorists were able to launch such an attack at the heart of the capital

Roisin O'Connor
Wednesday 18 March 2015 23:50 GMT
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Police officers are seen on the pavement outside parliament in Tunis
Police officers are seen on the pavement outside parliament in Tunis

Tunisia's prime minister has said that a total of 22 people have died in the attack against the Bardo museum in Tunis on 18 March, including 17 tourists, two Tunisians and two gunmen.

Prime minister Habib Essid said that five of the victims were Japanese, four Italian, two Colombian, two Spanish, one Australian, one Polish, one French national and one whose nationality has not yet been verified.

Essid said 44 people were also wounded, among them: 13 Italians, seven French, four Japanese, two South Africans, one Polish, one Russian and six Tunisians.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos confirmed on Twitter that two Colombian citizens were among the victims of the attack.

There has been shock that terrorists were able to launch such an attack at the heart of the capital.

The assault is the worst involving foreigners in Tunisia since the al-Qaida suicide bombing on a synagogue in 2002, which killed 21 people on the island of Djerba.

Newly elected president Beji Caid Essebsi said in an evening address to the nation: "I want the people of Tunisia to understand firstly and lastly that we are in a war with terror, and these savage minority groups will not frighten us.

"The fight against them will continue until they are exterminated."

David Cameron said he is "appalled" by the terror attack and pledged Britain's full support, while the Foreign Office said it was "urgently" looking into the attack amid reports Britons may be among the dead.

Cameron said on Twitter: "Appalled by sickening terrorist attack in Tunis - my thoughts are with those affected. UK stands ready to support Tunisia."

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the US is prepared to offer assistance to Tunisian authorities in their investigation of the attack against the Bardo museum and "will continue to stand with our Tunisian partners against terrorist violence".

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of today's heinous violence in Tunisia and condemn in the strongest terms this terrorist attack, which took the lives of innocent Tunisians as well as visiting tourists," Earnest said.

Additional reporting by AP, PA, Reuters

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