SA tourists among Tunis museum massacre victims

Gunmen stormed Tunisia's national museum yesterday, killing 20 foreign tourists and two Tunisians in an attack that raised fears for a rare success story of the Arab Spring.

The brazen daytime assault sparked panic at the nearby parliament building and the National Bardo Museum, an iconic attraction in a country whose economy depends mainly on tourism.

"There are 22 dead, including 20 South African, French, Polish and Italian tourists," interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said, without providing further details.

Prime Minister Habib Essid earlier said 17 foreigners had been killed, including Poles, Italians, Germans and Spaniards.

He said the two gunmen had been killed in a police assault and authorities were hunting for possible accomplices.

A Tunisian citizen and a policeman were also reported dead in the attack on the Bardo, famed for its collection of ancient artefacts.

Last night, International Relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said it was too soon to say how many South Africans had been caught up in the attack.

''We are working with local authorities to establish the identities of the South Africans and in providing consular assistance. We condemn this cowardly and barbaric attack in the strongest terms possible.''

Essid said the gunmen, dressed in military uniforms, opened fire on the tourists as they got off a bus and chased them inside the museum.

Aroui said 42 people were also wounded, with Health Minister Said Aidi saying they included citizens of France, South Africa, Poland, Italy and Japan.

President Beji Caid Essebsi denounced the killings as a "horrible crime" and said steps were being taken to prevent any further attacks.

"The authorities have taken all measures to ensure that such things don't happen" again, Essebsi said as he visited victims in a Tunis hospital.

The attack appeared to be the worst on foreigners in Tunisia since an al-Qaeda suicide bombing of a synagogue killed 14 Germans, two French and five Tunisians on the island of Djerba in 2002.

It drew widespread condemnation. President Francois Hollande expressed French "solidarity" with Tunisia and US Secretary of State John Kerry denounced the "wanton violence''.

Washington "stands with the Tunisian people at this difficult time and continues to support the Tunisian government's efforts to advance a secure, prosperous and democratic Tunisia," Kerry said.

Some officials, including French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, said hostages were taken at themuseum but this was not confirmed by Tunisian authorities.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring, has struggled to tackle a rise in attacks from Islamist extremists.

Interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui told reporters "two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs" had targeted the museum. Aroui said about 100 tourists had been inside the museum when the attack occurred.

He said "anti-terrorist units" had entered the museum and, about four hours after the incident began, declared that the operation was over.

"There is a possibility, but it is not certain, that [the two gunmen] could have been helped," Essid said.

"We are currently conducting extensive search operations to identify the two or three terrorists who possibly participated in the operation."

Museum employee Dhouha Belhaj Alaya said she heard "intense gunfire" around noon. "My co-workers were screaming 'Run! Run! Shots are being fired'!" she said. "We escaped out the back door with co-workers and some tourists."

Work was suspended at parliament during the attack.

Islamist lawmaker Monia Brahim said gunfire from the initial assault prompted committees to suspend their meetings as lawmakers were ordered to assemble in the main chamber.

"There was enormous panic," another lawmaker, Sayida Ounissi, tweeted, saying the attack took place during hearings on Tunisia's anti-terrorism law.

At least four French citizens were among the wounded, a diplomatic source said. Italy's foreign ministry said at least two of its citizens had been wounded and about 100 taken to safety.