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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
William Mata

Three Spanish tourists among four killed in Afghanistan city Bamyan

Three Spanish tourists have been killed while sightseeing at an ancient city in Afghanistan.

Spain’s foreign office has confirmed the deaths in Bamyan in the attack which also saw an Afghan national killed and three others injured. 

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said four people had been arrested. 

“[The Taliban government] strongly condemns this crime, expresses its deep feelings to the families of the victims and assures that all the criminals will be found and punished,” a statement added. 

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted his shock at the incident which also saw at least one other Spanish national injured. 

“Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan,” he tweeted.

“I follow the situation punctually. The Consular Emergency Unit [of the government] is working to offer all the necessary assistance.

“I want to convey all my affection to his family and friends.” 

The deaths were reported on Friday evening. 

Bamyan is home to a Unesco world heritage site and can be reached by a connecting flight from Afghani capital Kabul.

The city contains the ruins of 1,500-year-old giant Buddha statues, which were blown up by the Taliban under their rule in 2001 as a mark of getting rid of idolatry. 

The Taliban returned to power 20 years later and a project has been mooted aimed at reconstructing them.

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