Six French tourists among eight killed by gunmen in Niger: governor

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At least eight people, including six French tourists, were killed on Sunday in southwestern Niger by gunmen riding motorcycles, officials confirmed.

"There are eight dead: two Nigeriens including a guide and a driver, while the other six are French," AFP quotes Tillaberi Region governor Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella.

"We are managing the situation, we will give more information later," the governor said, without indicating who was behind the attack.

Multiple reports indicate that the attack happened around 11.30 am (1030 GMT) six kilometers (four miles) east of the town of Koure.

'We don't know the identity of the attackers but they came on motorcycles through the bush and waited for the arrival of the tourists," AFP quotes an unnamed source.

The tourists' vehicle belonged to the French Humanitarian organization ACTED.