A gunman has opened fire on foreign tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman, killing a British tourist, a government spokesman has said.
A gunman has opened fire on a group of foreign tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman, killing one Briton.
The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre in central Amman, a popular tourist attraction.
The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre in central Amman, a popular tourist attraction.
Five other tourists were injured before the gunman was arrested.
Five other tourists, from New Zealand, the Netherlands and two Britons, were wounded before the gunman was arrested.
Militants have carried out a series of attacks in Jordan. Sixty people were killed in three suicide 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.
Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh said the wounded included three tourists from the UK, one from the Netherlands and one New Zealander. The guide was a Jordanian national.
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.
Overpowered
The attack took place at 1230 local time (0930 GMT).
The attack took place at 1230 local time (0930 GMT).
One eyewitness, quoted by the AFP news agency, said the attacker approached the tourists shouting "God is great" in Arabic, before firing.
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.
The BBC's John Leyne, in Amman, says the area surrounding the Roman amphitheatre has been sealed off and anti-terrorist police are patrolling the site.
When his ammunition ran out, the gunman fled into the crowds before being arrested, eyewitnesses said.
The BBC's John Leyne, in Amman, says local people joined in the struggle to overpower him.
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.
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.
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.
I am a journalist and part-time employee at one of the NGO language training centres here in Amman. It was obvious something was wrong when classes were suddenly cancelled on Monday afternoon. The news that a lone gunman opened fire on tourists today soon surfaced on the internet. In light of a recent al-Qaeda "call for conversion" and the anniversary of 9/11 just days away, it looks like another tense week in the Middle East, even here in Amman.Jibril Hambel, Amman, Jordan
I am a journalist and part-time employee at one of the NGO language training centres here in Amman. It was obvious something was wrong when classes were suddenly cancelled on Monday afternoon. The news soon surfaced on the internet. In light of a recent al-Qaeda "call for conversion" and the anniversary of 9/11 just days away, it looks like another tense week in the Middle East, even here in Amman.Jibril Hambel, Amman, Jordan
