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| SOme hostages in the museum cowering from the attackers |
Tunisia’s prime minister says 17 tourists have been killed following a siege by two armed militants at a museum in the capital Tunis. Prime Minister Habib Essid said the standoff, in which a policeman and a Tunisian also lost their lives, was over.
The approximately three-hour attack and hostage siege took place at the Bardo Museum in the country’s capital. Seventeen tourists lost their lives, while one Tunisian, believed to be a janitor working in the museum, and a policemen were also killed. The crisis concluded when security forces stormed the building - next to the Tunisian parliament - and killed the two gunmen.
Prime Minister Essid was also able to confirm that Italian, German, Polish and Spanish tourists were amongst those killed in the attack on the museum according to Reuters.
Ahmad Fadli, who witnessed the events unfolding and is a correspondent for the Al-Tunisia newspaper, said the militants were wearing soldiers uniforms.
Poland's Foreign Ministry also says three Polish nationals have been injured in the attack. Earlier, Al Arabiya said eight wounded people have been taken out of the building.
The country's ministry said there were at least two men armed with Kalashnikovs in the museum. The museum is part of the Bardo Palace, which is also home to the parliament. The parliamentary building has been evacuated as a precaution.
Unconfirmed images of hostages are circulating on the web. Geotags suggest they were taken inside the Bardo National Museum. Children can be seen in the photos, which were allegedly taken inside.
A security officer has reportedly entered the museum, with a picture on Facebook showing what looks like a soldier ushering the hostages towards an exit.
Reuters say that Tunisian security forces have surrounded the two militants, who are currently holed up inside the museum. Local reports say that 160 tourists have been rescued via a back door, while around 20 to 30 are still inside.
-RT
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