This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5314746.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
UK tourist speaks of gun terror | UK tourist speaks of gun terror |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A British tourist has spoken of the terrifying gun attack that left her wounded and another Briton dead. | A British tourist has spoken of the terrifying gun attack that left her wounded and another Briton dead. |
A gunman killed Christopher Stokes, 30, and injured five other tourists in the Jordanian capital Amman. | |
The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre, and the gunman was arrested soon afterwards. | The shooting happened at the Roman amphitheatre, and the gunman was arrested soon afterwards. |
Injured Briton Karen Sparke said she had had a "lucky escape", initially thinking a firecracker had gone off but finding herself drenched in blood. | Injured Briton Karen Sparke said she had had a "lucky escape", initially thinking a firecracker had gone off but finding herself drenched in blood. |
As well as the two British women injured, tourists from New Zealand, the Netherlands and Australia were also hurt. | |
The attack coming after the suicide bombs that killed 60 people in November is a reminder that Jordan is not immune from the violence affecting the region. | The attack coming after the suicide bombs that killed 60 people in November is a reminder that Jordan is not immune from the violence affecting the region. |
Q&A: Jordan attack Aftermath in pictures | Q&A: Jordan attack Aftermath in pictures |
Ms Sparke, from Salisbury, who survived the attack, told the BBC that after initially thinking some sort of firework had gone off she turned around and saw a man pointing a gun at the group. | Ms Sparke, from Salisbury, who survived the attack, told the BBC that after initially thinking some sort of firework had gone off she 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." |
Swathed in bandages, the Briton said she had difficulty moving her arm. | Swathed in bandages, the Briton said she had difficulty moving her arm. |
The gunman is being questioned and the Jordanian authorities have said they will not let the incident affect tourism. | The gunman is being questioned and the Jordanian authorities have said they will not let the incident affect tourism. |
A government spokesman Nasser Judeh said it appeared the attack was an "individual act" and that the gunmen had "no links with domestic or foreign" terrorist groups, the Associated Press reported. | A government spokesman Nasser Judeh said it appeared the attack was an "individual act" and that the gunmen had "no links with domestic or foreign" terrorist groups, the Associated Press reported. |
Blight on tourist trail | Blight on tourist trail |
The man has been named as Nabil Ahmed Issa Jaourah, 38, who officials say comes from a village just outside Zarqa, a centre for Islamist militants, and once the home of dead al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. | The man has been named as Nabil Ahmed Issa Jaourah, 38, who officials say comes from a village just outside Zarqa, a centre for Islamist militants, and once the home of dead al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. |
Eyewitnesses said the attacker 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 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. |
As well as the tourists, a member of the local tourist police was injured. | As well as the tourists, a member of the local tourist police was injured. |
British tourists visiting Jordan are warned by the UK Foreign Office of a "high threat of terrorism", with Westerners being a particular target. | 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. | 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. |