Tunisia: Firing in Jewish religious place in Tunisia, four people died; nine injured

The El Ghriba Synagogue Jewish Church on the island of Djerba in Tunisia was hit by gunfire during an annual pilgrimage. In which at least four people were shot dead by a guard. Also, 9 people have been injured in this incident.

Tunisia: Firing in Jewish religious place in Tunisia, four people died; nine injured

The shooting took place at the El Ghriba Synagogue religious site on the island of Djerba in Tunisia. In which, at least four people were shot dead by a guard. The 2,500-year-old Al Ghriba Synagogue Church is one of the oldest in Africa.

The church was attacked on Tuesday night during the annual pilgrimage. The Al Ghriba Synagogue is visited by a large number of Jews from Europe and Israel. 

4 killed and 9 injured

The Tunisian interior ministry said in a statement that before heading to the synagogue, the accused killed an accomplice and seized his ammunition.

He opened fire on security units deployed near the synagogue, killing two visitors and another security officer.

At least five security officials and four other civilians were injured in the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment. 

There have been attacks in the El Ghriba Synagogue before

The ministry said security at the El Ghriba Synagogue church was tightened after the shooting incident. Also the movement in the church was stopped.

Similar incidents have happened several times before in the El Ghriba Synagogue. In 2002, there was a suicide bombing at the synagogue, which killed 21 people. In addition, a soldier shot and killed five people, including four Jews, in 1985.

Djerba is home to hundreds of Jews

The annual pilgrimage to Djerba, some 500 km from the capital Tunis, has been under tight security since the bombing. Tunisia is a majority Muslim country, but Djerba is home to hundreds of Jews.