Tourists From Five European Countries Killed in Tunisia Terror Attack

Tunisia
People surround an ambulance carrying the bodies of the victims of an attack by gunmen on Tunisia's national museum in Tunis March 18, 2015. Zoubeir Souissi/ REUTERS

Citizens from five different European countries were killed in the shooting by militants at Tunisia's national museum yesterday, officials confirmed in the aftermath of the terror attack.

Latest figures from Tunisian officials and national authorities reveal that, of the 20 foreign tourists killed in the attack, there were four Italian, two Spanish, two Polish and two French nationals as well as one British woman. It is also reported that five Japanese nationals, three Tunisians, two Colombians and one Australian were killed in the attack while the nationality of the 20th victim has yet to be revealed.

The attack, the worst in Tunisia for more than a decade, saw gunmen attack the Bardo museum in the capital, Tunis, targeting tourists, some of who had disembarked from cruise liners to visit the city. Two gunmen, identified as Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui, were subsequently killed in a security operation, but Tunisian prime minister Habib Essid has said that up to five militants may have been involved in the attack.

The British national has been identified as Sally Adey in a confirmation from British foreign secretary Philip Hammond. "Sadly, I can confirm the death of a British woman in yesterday's terrorist attack in Tunisia," he said. "Consular staff are providing assistance to her family. My thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."

Essid confirmed that four Italians were killed in the attack and Italian news site TGCom named two victims as Francesco Caldara, 64, and Orazio Conte, 54. Both Caldara's and Conte's wives were injured in the attack but survived.

French president Francois Hollande last night confirmed that two French nationals were killed by the gunmen. Local outlet La Depeche identified one victim as 72-year-old Jean-Claude Tissier. Both French victims were on a cruise with MSC Spendida.

"The president of the Republic has learned with great sadness the death of two of our compatriots in the terrible terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis," said a statement released by the Elysee Palace.

"Seven French nationals are injured, one of them seriously. The president sends his sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. He also assures his support to those injured in this tragedy and expresses solidarity with Tunisia."

Spanish newspaperEl Pais reported that a Catalan couple, Cirera Antonio Perez, 75, and Rami Dolores Sanchez, 75, were the two Spanish victims slain in the Tunis museum. Another two Spanish nationals were found alive in the museum this morning after hiding in the building all night, Spanish minister of foreign affairs and cooperation Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo confirmed.

Polish foreign minister Grzegorz Schetyna confirmed that two Polish nationals were among the tourists killed in yesterday's attack but they remain unidentified. "Regarding Polish casualties, among those confirmed we may with all certainty say... that two people were killed, two are missing and nine people were wounded," Schetyna told a Polish state broadcaster.

In response to the European deaths, Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said that the bloc would refuse to be intimidated by terrorism and "stands with Tunisia in its commitment to peace and democracy".

"I am shocked by today's terrorist attack at the Bardo museum in Tunis," he said.

"The European Union and Tunisia will not be intimidated by terrorism, at home or abroad. We are ready to support the Tunisian government in its actions against violent extremism and commend its speedy action to free the hostages involved."

The Colombian and Australian nationals killed in the attack were identified as mother and son, Miriam Martinez Camelo and Sydney resident Javier Camelo. The Tunisian nationals killed in the museum siege were a cleaner at the museum, a bus driver and a policeman involved in the security operation to free hostages held inside the building. Conflicting reports remain over the number of people, including European nationals, wounded by the gunmen.

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