British woman confirmed dead in Bardo Museum massacre
Tunisia 'at war' after two Tunisians and 17 tourists killed by 'terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs'
Tunisia's president has said his country is in a "war with terror" following an attack on a museum in the capital Tunis, which killed 19 people, including a British woman.
Two Tunisians, including a police officer, and 17 tourists died in yesterday's attack at the Bardo National Museum, one of Tunisia's most popular tourist attractions. A further 40 people were injured.
The Tunisian health minister confirmed this morning that a British woman was among the dead. The other victims included visitors from Japan, Italy, Colombia, Australia, France, Poland and Spain.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Two gunmen were killed by security forces, who are still searching for accomplices.
Tunisians have been out on the streets of Tunis to protest against the attack, lighting candles outside the museum and waving flags.
In a broadcast on national television, President Beji Caid Essebsi said: "These monstrous minorities do not frighten us. We will resist them until the deepest end without mercy. Democracy will win and it will survive."
The BBC's Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says the attack is a "huge blow" for Tunisia's government, which "only emerged at the end of a long political transition several months ago".
The incident began around midday, when gunmen stormed the Bardo Museum, sparking a three-hour hostage crisis.
The Tunisian parliament, which was debating anti-terrorism legislation at the time of the attack, was temporarily evacuated.
Karim Ben Sa'a, a tourism manager, said: "This is a black day for Tunisia… We are very sad for these tourists. They visit our country and it is so, so sad to see them die. Our hearts are black."
A spokesman for the interior ministry, Mohamed Ali Aroui, said the attack had been mounted by "two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs". A museum employee told Reuters that the gunmen had "opened fire on the tourists as they were getting off the buses before fleeing into the museum".
The Bardo Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tunisia and is famed for its impeccably preserved Roman mosaics. The museum is set in the grounds of a 19th-century palace, a short tram ride from the centre of the city.
The attack poses an "early and severe challenge" for Essid, who took office as prime minister last month, The Guardian says.
About 3,000 Tunisians are believed to have returned home after going to fight in Syria, triggering concerns that former fighters could carry out attacks at home.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A stark choice'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Vietnamese migrants crossing the Channel
The Explainer 2024 has seen a surge in the numbers of Vietnamese migrants making the illegal passage into the UK
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How to make the most of your leftover pumpkins
The Week Recommends As the Halloween fun wraps up, snap up pumpkins still on sale and don't leave your jack-o-lanterns to rot
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published