Tourists killed at Ivory Coast resort

The president of Ivory Coast has said 14 civilians and six armed men were killed after attackers targeted beach-goers and three hotels in the historic resort town of Grand-Bassam.

President Alassane Ouattara visited the town’s hotels to express condolences and salute the security forces for their quick responses.

Officials have urged the public to remain calm after the incident in the south-eastern beach resort, about 40km east of Ivory Coast’s economic centre, Abidjan.

Witness Josiane Sekongo, 25, said shots rang out in the town, a popular weekend destination for Ivorians and foreigners. Ms Sekongo, who lives near of Grand- Bassam’s many beachfront hotels, said she ran outside when she heard the gunfire and saw people running away from the beach.

She said residents were hiding in their homes as security forces responded.

The owner of the Etoile du Sud hotel said at least one person was killed there, while a reporter saw four bodies on a beach next to the establishment. Security forces and members of the Ivorian Red Cross cleared the bodies.

Witness Marcel Guy saw at least four gunmen with Kalashnikov rifles on the beach. He said one approached two children, and spoke in Arabic.

One child knelt and prayed, but the other was shot dead. The historic town of Grand-Bassam is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Some of the weapons found in Grand #Bassam, definitely point to an organized attack #IvoryCoast pic.twitter.com/ezJJeFrHHa

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) March 13, 2016

Mr Ouattara later confirmed two special forces operatives were killed in the attacks, in addition to the 14 civilians and six attackers.

A group that monitors jihadist websites said al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Footage: People are fleeing the shooting in Grand Bassam #IvoryCoast pic.twitter.com/PipGxD3Uzc

— Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) March 13, 2016

The Site Intelligence Group said the Islamic extremists made the declaration in a post to its Telegram channels, calling three of the attackers “heroes” for the assault.

Yesterday’s attack in Ivory Coast marks the third time in recent months that a West African tourist centre has come under assault by gunmen. Dozens were killed in the earlier attacks, starting with a siege at a Malian hotel in November and then an assault on a hotel and cafe in Burkina Faso in January.

Analysts have warned for months that Ivory Coast, which shares a border with both of those affected countries, could be a potential target by jihadists as well.