Five people died and nine were injured in an armed assault on the Tunisian island of Djerba. Regional authorities described the incident as a grave security breach with far-reaching implications for the community.
According to the interior ministry, a security guard at the National Guard Naval Center in Agira turned his personal handgun on a colleague, seized the ammunition, and crossed into the Al Ghriba synagogue. There, he fired indiscriminately at security personnel and worshippers, triggering a chaotic confrontation. The attacker was killed during the ensuing clash, and six guards sustained injuries, with one of them later succumbing to those wounds. Two visitors to the synagogue were killed, and four additional congregants required hospitalization for gunshot injuries.
Authorities have placed the synagogue under a security perimeter as investigators work to establish the full sequence of events. The Tunisian Interior Ministry condemned the attack as treacherous and cowardly, signaling a lengthy inquiry to identify motive, protect the remaining worshippers, and review security protocols at religious sites.
In related developments, officials announced that the quarter-finals of the African Champions League would be staged in Tunisia, though the schedule had already faced disruptions due to widespread disruptions associated with the incident. The ripple effects of the attack continue to affect travel, security measures at public venues, and the nation’s broader event calendar as authorities pursue a clear account of what occurred, who was involved, and how best to prevent a recurrence.