Tunisia blast: Explosion hits bus carrying presidential guards
- 24 November 2015
- From the section Africa
An explosion has hit a bus carrying presidential guards in Tunisia's capital, Tunis, killing at least 12 people, officials said.
President Beji Caid Essebsi has declared a 30-day state of emergency and the capital is under curfew.
No group has yet said it was behind the attack.
Tunisia has been targeted by the Islamic State group, including an attack by a gunman on the beach resort of Sousse in June, killing 38 people.
The North African state is believed to be the biggest exporter of jihadis, with the authorities saying at least 3,000 of its nationals are fighting in Iraq and Syria.
The explosion happened at a bus stop where the presidential guard picks up and drops off its staff, near the former headquarters of the party of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Roads in the city were already clogged because of heavy rain and flooding when the explosion hit.
Exactly what caused the blast is unclear but one source told Reuters a bomber had probably detonated explosives in the vehicle.
Analysis: Naveena Kottoor, BBC News, Tunis
Tunisians are bewildered and shocked. The tree-lined Mohamed V Avenue is not only within walking distance of many well-guarded ministries, but also close to cafes, shops and cinemas. The area was busy when the blast occurred, with cars and pedestrians heading home.
What has really shocked people is that the attackers, if reports of an attack are confirmed, got so close to members of the presidential guard.
The Tunisian government had tightened security following two attacks this year, with a high number of security forces visible very close to where the explosion happened.
Both the prime minister and interior minister have visited the scene.
Mr Ben Ali was ousted in a popular uprising in 2011.
Tunisia currently has a secular government, which is battling the militants.
In March, gunmen attacked the famous Bardo Museum in Tunis, killing more than 20 people.
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