CRI听力:22 Dead, Mostly Tourists, in Tunisia Museum Attack

At least 22 people, including 20 foreign tourists, are dead, following an attack at a museum in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

Gunmen stormed the building, opening fire before eventually taking a group of tourists hostages after security forces stormed the building.

The attack also prompted the evacuation of the Tunisian parliament building, which lies adjacent to the museum.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid.

"The preliminary information that we have so far is that terrorists in military uniforms stormed the area that is home to the Bardo Museum and also the Tunisian parliament. At the time when the tourists were getting off their buses to enter the Bardo Museum, terrorists started shooting at them. The tourists tried to flee inside the museum but the attackers followed them."

The United States is condemning the attack.

US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.

"We commend Tunisian authorities' rapid response to today's wanton violence and their efforts to resolve the hostage situation and restore calm. The United States stands with the Tunisian people at this difficult time.""
So far no group has claimed responsibility.

Tunisia was the catalyst for the so-called "Arab Spring," which saw uprisings against autocratic leaders spring up across many parts of the Arab world.