Canada, UK tourists hid in Jordan castle during gun fight
AMMAN, Jordan — Tourists from Canada, Britain and Malaysia were hiding inside a Crusader castle during armed clashes between Jordan troops and gunmen at the site, Jordan’s interior minister said Monday, denying that foreigners had been held hostage at any point.
Sunday’s violent standoff capped a series of shootings that killed 10 people, including a Canadian tourist, and wounded 34 people. It was the deadliest and most high-profile attack in Jordan in recent memory.
Interior Minister Salameh Hammad told reporters Monday that at one point, four gunmen were firing at police and bystanders from the roof of Karak Castle.
“Inside the castle, there was a group of tourists,” he said, adding that he did not believe the attackers were aware of the presence of the tourists during the standoff.