Tunisian terror attack targets tourists
On 18 March, two Tunisian gunmen killed 23 tourists and two Tunisians in an attack that took place in Tunis’s Bardo National Museum. The gunmen were shot dead by security forces after a police siege. Newly elected president Beji Caid Essebsbi said in an open address that night: “I want the people of Tunisia to understand firstly and lastly that we are in a war with terror, and these savage minority groups will not frighten us. The fight against them will continue until they are exterminated.”
The two gunmen were reportedly known to security forces, and have been identified as Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui. Authorities are said to be searching for two or three accomplices to the attack. The attack began just after midday when gunmen with automatic weapons opened fire in front of the Bardo Museum just as tourists were disembarking their coaches. The terrorists then moved into the museum as people attempted to take cover inside.
Many of the tourists were cruise passengers. A statement from MSC Cruises read: “As is the case every time the ship calls at Tunis, a shore excursion offered [our] guests the opportunity to visit the famous Bardo National Museum. During the visit at the museum, some of MSC Cruises’ guests were caught in the middle of a terrorist attack along with guests from another cruise line.
“As soon as the company heard of the attack and the fact that some of its guests were involved in this tragedy, regular stringent safety procedures were set in motion and the ship management called for the immediate cancellation of all ongoing shore excursions and recalled all buses and their passengers on the ground back to the ship. The security on board was also immediately raised to Level 3, its highest, by emergency protocol, to ensure the complete safety of all guests and crew members – the company’s number one priority at all times.
“In constant co-ordination with local, national and international authorities, as well as embassies in Tunis and ground staff, MSC Splendida’s command worked towards organising the safe return of the ship’s guests aboard, and assessing the situation in the city’s hospitals. Keeping guests aboard informed of the unfolding situation took constant synchronisation between all actors aboard and ashore and filtering of the stream of sometimes contradicting information from various sources.
Finally, to allow all guests to promptly contact their families and loved ones at home and to provide reassurance about their wellbeing, all onboard telephony and Internet was made available.”
The company continued: “Based on the communication made by official authorities, MSC Cruises, its ownership and entire management team report with profound sadness that at the time of this announcement (4:15 a.m. on 19 March) nine of its guests are reported to have lost their lives, 12 were injured, and six (two Spanish nationals, one Belgian, one British, one French and one Japanese) are still unaccounted for in conjunction with the tragic event at the Bardo Museum. However, these numbers are still subject to modification whilst official identification is ongoing.” The ship left Tunis on 19 March at 7:00 a.m., heading for Barcelona.
According to sources, it would appear that of the MSC Cruises victims, three were of Japanese nationality, two were French, two Spanish and two Colombian. The ship’s wounded, of which three are Japanese nationals, one is South African, one Belgian and seven French, [were] treated in various hospitals. All of them [were] assisted in person by members of the MSC Cruises Crisis Team that was immediately sent to Tunis to provide on-the-ground support.
The gunmen also killed four Italian, three Japanese, two Colombian, and two Spanish tourists, as well as an Australian, a Pole, a French, and a British tourist. Three other tourists were also killed, and while there are reports that they were South African, this has yet to be confirmed at the time of writing. At least 44 people were wounded in the attack, including tourists from Italy, France, Japan, South Africa, Poland, Belgium and Russia.
The attack deals a blow to a country that has taken pride in the political transitions that saw authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali overthrown in 2011. The attack in Tunis raises questions about the potential for extremism developing in Tunisia as a result of its proximity to Libya and Algeria.
Squaremouth, a US-based travel insurance comparison site, has explained the three factors travellers should look for in their policy to determine if they're covered to cancel their trip.
Who deemed the attack as terrorism?
Before an attack can be covered under the Terrorism benefit, most travel insurance policies require it to be deemed an official act of terror by the U.S. Department of State. However, some will exclude coverage for any attack if there is an active U.S. travel warning in the destination where it occurred. "It is not enough for a violent attack to take place, or for a terrorist cell to be suspected of carrying out the attack," explains Squaremouth Product Manager, Adam Rusin. "It must be officially declared a terrorist attack by reasonable Government bodies."
Where did the attack occur?
In order for an event to meet the travel insurance definition of "Terrorism", it must take place in a location that would reasonably impact a traveler. Most policies require the attack to occur either in a city listed on the traveler's itinerary, or within a specified distance from their destination. This varies between 1 and 120 miles.
When did the attack occur?
100% of travel insurance providers require the policy be purchased before the terrorist attack occurs. It must also take place within a stated number of days from the traveler's arrival at their destination. "Of the 55 policies on our website that cover terrorism, most require the attack to occur within 30 days of the traveler's arrival," adds Rusin.
Prior to the March 18th shootings at the Bardo museum, there was no U.S. Government-issued travel warning for Tunisia. This means, travelers who have already purchase a travel insurance policy, and whose policy classifies the shootings as terrorism, may be covered to cancel their trip.