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Gunman fires on Jordan tourists | Gunman fires on Jordan tourists |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A gunman has opened fire on a group of foreign tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman, killing a British man. | A gunman has opened fire on a group of foreign tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman, killing a British man. |
The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre, a popular attraction. | The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre, a popular attraction. |
Five other tourists were injured - two British women as well as tourists from New Zealand, the Netherlands and Australia. The gunman was arrested. | Five other tourists were injured - two British women as well as tourists from New Zealand, the Netherlands and Australia. The gunman was arrested. |
Militants have carried out a series of attacks in Jordan. Sixty people were killed in three suicide bomb attacks on hotels in November 2005. | Militants have carried out a series of attacks in Jordan. Sixty people were killed in three suicide bomb attacks on hotels in November 2005. |
Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez said the gunman had been arrested and was now being questioned. He said it was not clear yet whether the gunman was acting alone or was a member of any group. | Interior Minister Eid al-Fayez said the gunman had been arrested and was now being questioned. He said it was not clear yet whether the gunman was acting alone or was a member of any group. |
"We as a government and people... regret the incident and hope it is a one-off which will not affect our tourism or security situation," Mr Fayez said. | "We as a government and people... regret the incident and hope it is a one-off which will not affect our tourism or security situation," Mr Fayez said. |
'Bleeding all over' | 'Bleeding all over' |
The attack took place at 1230 local time (0930 GMT). | The attack took place at 1230 local time (0930 GMT). |
Aftermath in pictures | Aftermath in pictures |
Eyewitnesses said the attacker, said to be a Jordanian, approached the tourists shouting "God is great" in Arabic before firing at least 12 shots at the small group of tourists. | Eyewitnesses said the attacker, said to be a Jordanian, approached the tourists shouting "God is great" in Arabic before firing at least 12 shots at the small group of tourists. |
When his ammunition ran out, the gunman fled into the crowds before being arrested, eyewitnesses said. | When his ammunition ran out, the gunman fled into the crowds before being arrested, eyewitnesses said. |
Briton Karen Sparke, who survived the attack, told the BBC that when she heard the gunfire she initially thought a firecracker had been let off. | Briton Karen Sparke, who survived the attack, told the BBC that when she heard the gunfire she initially thought a firecracker had been let off. |
She then turned around and saw a man pointing a gun at the group. | She then turned around and saw a man pointing a gun at the group. |
"I don't remember much about it," she said. "Just that I was shot and as I looked my other friends were on the floor laying down, and then I went up the steps a bit further and stood round the corner and then realised that I was bleeding all over." | "I don't remember much about it," she said. "Just that I was shot and as I looked my other friends were on the floor laying down, and then I went up the steps a bit further and stood round the corner and then realised that I was bleeding all over." |
'Callous' | 'Callous' |
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "extremely saddened" by news of the attack. | UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "extremely saddened" by news of the attack. |
"My sympathies are with the victims and their families. Acts of violence such as this are as senseless as they are callous," she said. | "My sympathies are with the victims and their families. Acts of violence such as this are as senseless as they are callous," she said. |
The BBC's John Leyne, in Amman, says local people joined in the struggle to overpower the gunman. | The BBC's John Leyne, in Amman, says local people joined in the struggle to overpower the gunman. |
The area surrounding the Roman amphitheatre has been sealed off and anti-terrorist police are patrolling the site. | The area surrounding the Roman amphitheatre has been sealed off and anti-terrorist police are patrolling the site. |
British tourists visiting Jordan are warned by the UK Foreign Office of a "high threat of terrorism", with Westerners being a particular target. Jordan's tourist trade has been badly hit by reaction to the conflict in Lebanon, although tour operators say it remains popular with more adventurous travellers. | British tourists visiting Jordan are warned by the UK Foreign Office of a "high threat of terrorism", with Westerners being a particular target. Jordan's tourist trade has been badly hit by reaction to the conflict in Lebanon, although tour operators say it remains popular with more adventurous travellers. |
The amphitheatre, cut into a steep hill in the centre of Amman, is the Jordanian capital's top tourist attraction. | The amphitheatre, cut into a steep hill in the centre of Amman, is the Jordanian capital's top tourist attraction. |
Are you in Amman? Were you there or have you been affected by the incident? If so, send us your story using the form below. | |