Hostages taken in Bardo Museum, neighbouring parliament building evacuated
Update: Overnight, officials have confirmed that gunmen dressed in military uniforms killed 19 people, 17 of whom were foreign tourists. Two gunmen were killed and police are hunting for more suspected gunmen.
Update (18:15): Local news reports that security forces have entered the museum and killed two attackers. At least nine people have died, including two Tunisians, while over 20 are injured.
Men disguised as soldiers have taken tourists hostages in Tunis Bardo Museum in Tunisia, according to press reports.
The neighbouring parliament building was evacuated after shots and explosions were heard.
Reports describe two or three armed men holding 20-30 tourists, including children, hostage in the museum, while more than a hundred escaped. Eight people have been killed, including seven foreigners, according to the Interior Ministry.
Security forces are on the scene.
Continued fighting in Libya has spilt across Tunisias border, destabilising the country. The army has also been fighting extremist armed groups on the Algerian border since 2013.
The violence will threaten the democratic transition and efforts to revitalise a flagging economy.
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