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Tunisian soldier kills 7 comrades in barracks attack

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A Tunisian corporal shot dead seven of his comrades on Monday before himself being killed, the defence ministry said, adding that he had family and psychological problems.

The rampage "caused the deaths of seven soldiers and also of the shooter. Ten soldiers were wounded, and one is in a serious condition," ministry spokesman Belhassen Oueslati said at a news conference.

"He attacked one man with a knife and took his gun before shooting at his comrades who were saluting the flag.

"He had family and psychological problems" and because of this had been "forbidden from carrying arms" and given "non-sensitive duties", Oueslati said.

Tunisian soldiers stand guard outside the Bouchoucha army barracks in Tunis on May 25  2015
Tunisian soldiers stand guard outside the Bouchoucha army barracks in Tunis on May 25, 2015
Fethi Belaid, AFP

He called the shooting an "isolated" incident.

"Investigations will show whether this was a terrorist act or not," Oueslati added, despite the interior ministry earlier ruling this out.

A Tunisian corporal shot dead seven of his comrades on Monday before himself being killed, the defence ministry said, adding that he had family and psychological problems.

The rampage “caused the deaths of seven soldiers and also of the shooter. Ten soldiers were wounded, and one is in a serious condition,” ministry spokesman Belhassen Oueslati said at a news conference.

“He attacked one man with a knife and took his gun before shooting at his comrades who were saluting the flag.

“He had family and psychological problems” and because of this had been “forbidden from carrying arms” and given “non-sensitive duties”, Oueslati said.

Tunisian soldiers stand guard outside the Bouchoucha army barracks in Tunis on May 25  2015

Tunisian soldiers stand guard outside the Bouchoucha army barracks in Tunis on May 25, 2015
Fethi Belaid, AFP

He called the shooting an “isolated” incident.

“Investigations will show whether this was a terrorist act or not,” Oueslati added, despite the interior ministry earlier ruling this out.

AFP
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