Twin suicide bombings rock Tunis, Pinoys cautioned

FILE: Tunisian Flag (Photo: Keith Roper/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA — Two separate explosions in Tunis were reported Thursday night, prompting the Philippine Embassy in Libya to issue an advisory asking Filipinos in the area to exercise caution.

“The Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, through its Interim Legation in Tunis, has received reports of two explosions along Rue de Charles de Gaulle in downtown Tunis,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a bulletin sent through Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Fernandez.

According to initial reports, the explosions involved a suicide bomber and a car bomb that was detonated one after the other near the French Embassy and the headquarters of the anti-terrorist police.

Reports said at least one police officer was killed in the blast with several others wounded.

“In this connection, the Embassy requests all Filipino nationals in Tunis to remain vigilant, avoid these areas and take the necessary precautions,” the advisory read.

Philippine Ambassador to Libya Elmer Cato reported none of the 94 Filipinos in Tunisia was injured in the blast. Two embassy personnel, on the other hand, were in the area when the bombs exploded, but both were unharmed, he said.

In case of emergency, Filipinos in Tunisia were advised to immediately contact the Interim Legation and the Philippine Consulate in Tunis at +216 50 926 251.