Tunisia’s prime minister says 21 people are dead after an attack on a major museum, including 17 foreign tourists.
Prime minister Habib Essid said at least 21 people in all were killed, including two gunmen, but some attackers may have escaped – with authorities warning that two or three of the attackers remain at large.
Mr Essid told national television that the foreigners killed included tourists from Poland, Italy, Germany and Spain, however, local media suggested that British citizens were among the dead.
He said that two of the attackers were killed in a gunfight with police, and that security forces are hunting for two or three others believed to have been involved.
The attack at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis was the worst in years on a tourist site in Tunisia, which is struggling to solidify its young democracy and prevent violence by Islamic extremists.
Seventeen foreigners were killed, as were a Tunisian security officer and a cleaning woman, the interior ministry spokesman said.
The terrorists in Tunisia killed a number of people before taking up to 30 hostages in the museum following the attack.
Security forces stormed the building and are believed to have free the hostages, however, it is believed two or three gunmen involved in the attack may be at large, the prime minister said.
A number of people are currently being held hostage in the museum.
VIDEO: Watch footage as security forces close in on museum where hostages are held
Brits believed to be among the dead as foreign office launch investigation
It is not clear whether the main target of attackers was Parliament #ARP or the #Bardo museum.Both buildings are next to each other#Tunisia
— Farah Samti (@Farah_SamT) March 18, 2015
Interior Ministry spokesperson: 8 people killed, more held as hostages inside Bardo museum.#Tunis #Tunisia
— Farah Samti (@Farah_SamT) March 18, 2015
The museum chronicles Tunisia’s history and includes one of the world’s largest collections of Roman mosaics.
It is unclear who the attackers are but Tunisia has struggled with violence by Islamic extremists in recent years, including some linked to Islamic State.
More to follow.