Tunis, Tunisia – 22 people have been confirmed dead following a dramatic shoot out by gunmen in military uniforms after they stormed Bardo Museum which is in the heart of Tunis. The gunmen burst out from a vehicle wielding rifles and began shooting at anything moveable.
Most of the victims are said to have been tourists of mixed nationalities who were climbing out of their buses at the National Museum. While two other victims have been identified as Tunisians, The nationality of one dead foreigner is not known yet. However, two gunmen were gunned down by Tunisian security forces who stepped in to end the siege.
In a news conference Prime Minister Habib Essid said “that is a coward attack whose main target is on Tunisia’s economy but we are united to defend our country”. He further stated that three gunmen are still at large though it is still not clear what role they played in the attack. The motive of the attack has still not been identified even after reports indicated that many more persons have been injured.
Millions of foreigners visit the country each year and tourism has been said to be a key pillar of Tunisia’s economy. Hence it is such a blow to the nation with attackers having to strike a popular cultural attraction which is apparently the closest to parliamentary buildings where lawmakers were locked in a meeting before they heard the gunfire erupt.
“We allowed the frightened tourists who were running into different directions enter into parliament”. Mehrezia Labidi who is a lawmaker stated. Lawmakers were also asked by an administrator lie to down on the ground.
According to Interior Ministry spokesman, the attackers are said to be Islamist though the authorities have nothing specific to add to this and they are also exploring on other possibilities of the attack
Besides, there is no immediate claim of responsibility even though ISIS supporters are said to be in an online celebration mode of the attack.