Tunisia ‘suicide bomb attack’ near French embassy

Tunisia’s capital was rocked by a loud explosion today amid reports a suicide bomber blew himself up near the French embassy.

A second suicide bomber was said to be on the run after an explosion in the main avenue in the centre of Tunis.

Witnesses said a police patrol van was targeted and there would be “many victims”.

One report claimed the terrorists detonated a car bomb on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, although another report said it was on nearby Charles de Gaulle street.

It was around 100 yards from France’s embassy and also close to the Palmarium shopping centre which was targeted by a female suicide bomber in October.

Habib Bourguiba Avenue is in the heart of the commercial and tourist district and is lined with western hotels and a theatre.

British tourists have only recently started returning to Tunisia after the Sousse beach massacre and Bardo museum shooting in 2015.