Eight Nineteen tourists killed as gunmen ‘take hostages’ in attack on Tunisia parliament – latest
At least three gunmen attack Tunisia’s parliament building in Tunis, with eight tourists killed and reports of up to 30 hostages still held
• Eight tourists killed in Tunisia parliament attack
• Two Britons believed to be among those dead: reports
• Reports 10 tourists still held in Bardo Museum
• Three gunmen in military-style clothing launch attack
• MPs evacuated from parliament in Tunis
Latest
13.23 Mohamed Ali Aroui, a government spokesman, has told reporters:
A terrorist attack targeting the Bardo Museum [was carried out by] two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs
There are eight victims [including] seven foreigners.
The majority of tourists were evacuated.
Anti-terrorist units have entered the museum.
13.19 The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to avoid the area until further notice:
Latest update: Summary – there are reports of an incident at the Tunisian parliament building and Bardo Museum in Tunis; you should avoid the area until further notice and follow the instructions of the Tunisian security authorities
Meanwhile more images have emerged of counter-terror operations at the scene, which are believed to be ongoing:
Tunisia Parliament attack: Live updates
Gunmen dressed in military-style clothing stormed the Bardo museum in Tunis at around midday killing eight people
Reports suggest the attackers may have gained entry to the museum by dressing as security officers.
The Bardo museum is a high security site where ID checks and metal detection are standard practice.
Suspicions will naturally fall upon the most active extremist groups within Tunisia, the Katibat Uqba Ibn Nafi and Ansar al-Sharia.
Both groups have generally limited attacks to Tunisia’s South and the regions that border Algeria, however attacks in the capital have also occurred.