Three Spanish tourists and an Afghan national were killed on Friday in a shooting incident in the popular tourism destination of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan, as confirmed by local and Spanish authorities.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesman for Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry, confirmed to that four individuals lost their lives in the gunfire that occurred Friday evening in Bamiyan city. Additionally, four foreigners and three Afghans sustained injuries in the incident.
Spain’s foreign ministry later stated that three of the deceased were Spanish tourists, and at least one other Spanish national was injured. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan.” The European Union strongly condemned the attack, extending sympathies to the victims’ families and expressing solidarity with the injured in a statement.
‘Sounds of successive gunshots’
According to initial reports from hospital sources, the wounded individuals hailed from Norway, Australia, Lithuania, and Spain.
Security forces have apprehended four suspects linked to the attack, stated Qani. He did not specify whether there were multiple shooters involved.
In a statement, the Taliban government “strongly condemns this crime, extends sincere condolences to the victims’ families, and pledges to locate and punish all perpetrators,” as conveyed by Qani.
A local resident, preferring anonymity, mentioned hearing successive gunfire, with city streets leading to the scene promptly sealed off by security forces.
Bamiyan, renowned for the colossal Buddhas destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, remains Afghanistan’s foremost tourist attraction.
While the Taliban government awaits official recognition from any nation, it has embraced foreign tourism. As security has improved following the Taliban’s cessation of insurgency and the ousting of the Western-backed government in 2021, an increasing number of tourists have ventured to Afghanistan.
With most embassies evacuated after the Taliban’s assumption of power and Western governments advising against travel, these visitors often holiday without consular support.
Fatal attacks targeting foreigners have been infrequent in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power.
Upon arrival in western Herat province on Friday evening, a foreign tourist shared on a WhatsApp group for travelers in Afghanistan that he and fellow travelers were intercepted by Taliban authorities and warned that they were no longer safe due to the situation in Bamiyan.
“After some time and with the help of Google Translate, we managed to persuade them to allow us to proceed. They instructed us to quickly grab a meal and avoid being out on the streets,” recounted the tourist.
The Bamiyan region is predominantly inhabited by members of the Hazara Shia community, a religious minority that has faced persecution historically, particularly from the Islamic State group, which deems them as heretics.
Since the Taliban assumed power, the frequency of bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan has notably decreased. However, various armed groups, including IS, continue to pose a threat.
