4 dead in attack on synagogue on Tunisian island of Djerba

TUNIS, Tunisia

The death toll from an attack near a synagogue on Tunisia’s island of Djerba rose to four, according to Tunisian authorities on Wednesday.

A guard from Tunisia’s National Guard naval center in the town of Aghir on Djerba opened fire at the synagogue on Tuesday evening, killing a security officer and two worshippers, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The attacker, who clashed with security forces, was killed, and nine people were taken to nearby hospitals with injuries, said the statement.

But on Wednesday, a Tunisian security officer succumbed to his injuries, according to a local medical source.

The synagogue is a popular Jewish pilgrimage site which draws thousands of Jews from Europe and Israel during the pilgrimage season.

The pilgrims were celebrating the Lag B’Omer holiday along with the tiny local Jewish community.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi