Four cycling tourists, including two Americans, were killed in an attack in Tajikistan, authorities told ABC News. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a Twitter post Monday.A group of seven cyclists was heading north in Danghara district, about 55 miles southeast of the capital Dushanbe, when they were struck by a car with five armed people onboard on Sunday. Tajikistan's interior minister said that, after striking the cyclists, the people in the car got out and attacked them with a firearm and a knife.The two Americans, a woman and a man, were killed along with a Swiss man and a Dutch national.Authorities said at the time they believed it may have been a deliberate terrorist attack, although they had not ruled out armed robbery. On Monday afternoon, an IS terror group issued a statement on Twitter in Arabic claiming the attack.The post said that a "detachment from the soldiers of the Caliphate" launched to strike "citizens of Crusader coalition countries," running them over and then using knives, killing four and wounding four others. It declared, "We give glad tidings to the citizens of the Crusader coalition countries with what will disturb them, and what is coming is more devastating and bitter, Allah permitting."Earlier on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe condemned the attack and sent condolences to the families. The embassy issued a security alert, urging safety precautions, but saying there was "no evidence that indicates a heightened level of threat to U.S. citizens."A State Department official told ABC News the U.S. was "aware of reports that this may have been a terrorist act," but referred to Tajik authorities, who are leading the investigation.The American victims were not named, due to privacy concerns, but officials condemned the attack."We strongly condemn the cruelty of the attackers and recognize that they in no way represent the kindness and hospitality of the Tajik people," the embassy said in a statement If confirmed by authorities, this would be the first time Americans have been killed in a terrorist attack outside the U.S. since an August 2017 attack in Barcelona.Three other bikers who were Dutch and Swiss were also injured before the attackers drove away; one Swiss woman was stabbed and is no longer in critical condition. A French citizen was brought in for a check up, but sustained no injuries, a Tajik health official told ABC News.Five attackers were involved in the incident, Tajik officials said earlier Monday. Authorities said they have arrested four suspects and recovered a damaged Leganza they believe was involved in the incident, which was initially reported as a hit-and-run. One other person was resisting arrest and was "eliminated" as a suspect.The U.S. Embassy confirmed the attack with multiple sources and said that Tajikistan's ministry of internal affairs had detained one suspect and killed at least three others.Tajikistan had declared 2018 "a year of tourism" and authorities have been cautious about labeling the incident as terrorism."We are looking at versions that this was an accident, armed robbery, murder. The version of a terrorist act is also not being excluded," interior minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda told press in Dushanbe earlier today.The investigation has been put under the personal control of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.Rahmon sent telegrams expressing his condolences to President Donald Trump, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Swiss President Alain Berset, authorities said.In the letters, he was said to have told President Trump that Tajik authorities were doing everything they could to bring the perpetrators of the "vicious act" to justice.The roads through the mountains and valleys of Tajikistan and Central Asia are enticing to serious cyclists. The Pamir highway is said to be the second highest road on earth. Only the Karakoram Highway in neighboring China is higher, by a slender margin.Tajikistan is one of the poorest former Soviet republics and has struggled with poverty and instability since its independence in 1991.</s>2 US cyclists, another foreigner killed in Tajikistan

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. and Tajik officials say that two American cyclists have been killed in a car crash in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said an unidentified driver rammed a car into a group of foreign cyclists about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Sunday.

Two Americans died, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said on Facebook. Another foreign tourist also died on the spot, according to the Interior Ministry. The statement did not say where the third victim was from.

Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Police said it was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack.

The U.S. Embassy did not disclose further details due to privacy concerns.</s>Four foreign cyclists have been killed and three others injured in southern Tajikistan after being hit by a car that fled the scene afterward.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement on July 29 that three cyclists were declared dead at the scene, while a fourth died later at a local hospital.

The other three suffered minor injuries, the ministry said.

A second statement said a 21-year-old male had been detained in connection with the incident.

A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said two of the dead were U.S. citizens.

"Due to privacy concerns, we are unable to share further details. Our condolences go out to the victims' families, and we will continue to work with Tajik authorities in the ongoing investigation," the statement said.

AFP, quoting an unnamed source at the ministry, had earlier reported that two Dutch nationals were in the group. It did not specify the nationalities of the other three members or the nationalities of those who were killed.

The incident took place in the district of Danghara, 150 kilometers south of the capital, Dushanbe.

With reporting by AFP</s>2 US cyclists, another foreigner killed in Tajikistan

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. and Tajik officials say that two American cyclists have been killed in a car crash in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said an unidentified driver rammed a car into a group of foreign cyclists about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Sunday.

Two Americans died, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said on Facebook. Another foreign tourist also died on the spot, according to the Interior Ministry. The statement did not say where the third victim was from.

Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Police said it was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack.

The U.S. Embassy did not disclose further details due to privacy concerns.</s>Four cycling tourists, including two Americans, were killed in what may have been a terror attack in Tajikistan, authorities told ABC News.

A group of seven cyclists was heading north in Danghara district, about 55 miles southeast of the capital Dushanbe, when they were struck by a car with five armed people onboard on Sunday. Tajikistan’s interior minister said that, after striking the cyclists, the people in the car got out and attacked them with a firearm and a knife.

The two Americans, a woman and a man, were killed along with a Swiss man and a Dutch national. Authorities now believe it may have been a deliberate terrorist attack, although armed robbery has not been ruled out. Initial results of the Tajik investigation are expected to be available by Wednesday.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe condemned the attack and sent condolences to the families on Monday. The embassy issued a security alert, urging safety precautions, but saying there was "no evidence that indicates a heightened level of threat to U.S. citizens."

The U.S. victims were not named, due to privacy concerns, but officials indicated they considered the incident to be an intentional attack.

"We strongly condemn the cruelty of the attackers and recognize that they in no way represent the kindness and hospitality of the Tajik people," the embassy said in a statement.

If the incident is confirmed to be terrorism, it would be the first time Americans have been killed in a terrorist attack outside the U.S. since an August 2017 attack in Barcelona.

Three other bikers who were Dutch and Swiss were also injured before the attackers drove away; one Swiss woman was stabbed and is no longer in critical condition. A French citizen was brought in for a check up, but sustained no injuries, a Tajik health official told ABC News.

Five attackers were involved in the incident, Tajik officials said earlier Monday. Authorities said they have arrested four suspects and recovered a damaged Leganza they believe was involved in the incident, which was initially reported as a hit-and-run. One other person was resisting arrest and was "eliminated" as a suspect.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed the attack with multiple sources and said that Tajikistan's ministry of internal affairs had detained one suspect and killed at least three others.

Tajikistan had declared 2018 "a year of tourism" and authorities have been cautious about labeling the incident as terrorism.

"We are looking at versions that this was an accident, armed robbery, murder. The version of a terrorist act is also not being excluded," interior minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda told press in Dushanbe earlier today.

The investigation has been put under the personal control of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Rahmon sent telegrams expressing his condolences to President Donald Trump, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Swiss President Alain Berset, authorities said.

In the letters, he was said to have told President Trump that Tajik authorities were doing everything they could to bring the perpetrators of the "vicious act" to justice.

The roads through the mountains and valleys of Tajikistan and Central Asia are enticing to serious cyclists. The Pamir highway is said to be the second highest road on earth. Only the Karakoram Highway in neighboring China is higher, by a slender margin.

Tajikistan is one of the poorest former Soviet republics and has struggled with poverty and instability since its independence in 1991.</s>2 US cyclists, another foreigner killed in Tajikistan

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. and Tajik officials say that two American cyclists have been killed in a car crash in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said an unidentified driver rammed a car into a group of foreign cyclists about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Sunday.

Two Americans died, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said on Facebook. Another foreign tourist also died on the spot, according to the Interior Ministry. The statement did not say where the third victim was from.

Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Police said it was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack.

The U.S. Embassy did not disclose further details due to privacy concerns.</s>Four cycling tourists, including two Americans, were killed in what may have been a terror attack in Tajikistan, authorities told ABC News.A group of seven cyclists was heading north in Danghara district, about 55 miles southeast of the capital Dushanbe, when they were struck by a car with five armed people onboard on Sunday. Tajikistan's interior minister said that, after striking the cyclists, the people in the car got out and attacked them with a firearm and a knife.The two Americans, a woman and a man, were killed along with a Swiss man and a Dutch national. Authorities now believe it may have been a deliberate terrorist attack, although armed robbery has not been ruled out. Initial results of the Tajik investigation are expected to be available by Wednesday.The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe condemned the attack and sent condolences to the families on Monday. The embassy issued a security alert, urging safety precautions, but saying there was "no evidence that indicates a heightened level of threat to U.S. citizens."The U.S. victims were not named, due to privacy concerns, but officials indicated they considered the incident to be an intentional attack."We strongly condemn the cruelty of the attackers and recognize that they in no way represent the kindness and hospitality of the Tajik people," the embassy said in a statement If the incident is confirmed to be terrorism, it would be the first time Americans have been killed in a terrorist attack outside the U.S. since an August 2017 attack in Barcelona.Three other bikers who were Dutch and Swiss were also injured before the attackers drove away; one Swiss woman was stabbed and is no longer in critical condition. A French citizen was brought in for a check up, but sustained no injuries, a Tajik health official told ABC News.Five attackers were involved in the incident, Tajik officials said earlier Monday. Authorities said they have arrested four suspects and recovered a damaged Leganza they believe was involved in the incident, which was initially reported as a hit-and-run. One other person was resisting arrest and was "eliminated" as a suspect.The U.S. Embassy confirmed the attack with multiple sources and said that Tajikistan's ministry of internal affairs had detained one suspect and killed at least three others.Tajikistan had declared 2018 "a year of tourism" and authorities have been cautious about labeling the incident as terrorism."We are looking at versions that this was an accident, armed robbery, murder. The version of a terrorist act is also not being excluded," interior minister Ramazon Rakhimzoda told press in Dushanbe earlier today.The investigation has been put under the personal control of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.Rahmon sent telegrams expressing his condolences to President Donald Trump, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Swiss President Alain Berset, authorities said.In the letters, he was said to have told President Trump that Tajik authorities were doing everything they could to bring the perpetrators of the "vicious act" to justice.The roads through the mountains and valleys of Tajikistan and Central Asia are enticing to serious cyclists. The Pamir highway is said to be the second highest road on earth. Only the Karakoram Highway in neighboring China is higher, by a slender margin.Tajikistan is one of the poorest former Soviet republics and has struggled with poverty and instability since its independence in 1991.</s>2 US cyclists, another foreigner killed in Tajikistan

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. and Tajik officials say that two American cyclists have been killed in a car crash in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said an unidentified driver rammed a car into a group of foreign cyclists about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Sunday.

Two Americans died, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said on Facebook. Another foreign tourist also died on the spot, according to the Interior Ministry. The statement did not say where the third victim was from.

Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Police said it was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack.

The U.S. Embassy did not disclose further details due to privacy concerns.</s>Een van de slachtoffers van het fietsdrama in Tadzjikistan heeft bevestigd dat de groep is aangevallen met messen, stelt een Belgische toerist die met de overlevenden heeft gesproken. Dat meldt VRT Nieuws maandag.

"Ik heb gevraagd wat er gebeurd was. Het eerste wat een van hen zei, was dat ze aangereden waren door een auto en dat er mensen waren uitgestapt die met messen begonnen te steken", zegt toerist Nicolas Moerman maandag tegen de VRT.

Naast een 56-jarige Nederlander kwamen ook twee Amerikanen en één Zwitser om het leven. Zij waren met de fiets op vakantie en maakten deel uit van een grotere groep.

Drie anderen raakten door de aanrijding gewond. Een 58-jarige vrouw uit Nederland moest volgens het Nederlandse ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken naar het ziekenhuis worden gebracht. Verder raakten een persoon uit Zwitserland en een persoon uit Frankrijk gewond. Een van de slachtoffers heeft een steekwond.

Moerman reed als lifter mee in een vrachtwagen. De slachtoffers stonden aan de kant van de weg en gebaarden dat de wagen moest stoppen. "Dat hebben we onmiddellijk gedaan", aldus de man. "Er lagen verschillende fietsers op de grond. Een aantal was ook volledig in shock."

Ongeluk

De lokale autoriteiten gingen eerder nog uit van een verkeersongeluk, maar lieten ook weten andere scenario's te onderzoeken.

"Andere opties, zoals diefstal en terrorisme, worden bekeken", zei de Tadzjiekse minister van Binnenlandse Zaken eerder op maandag. Volgens hem is de aanrijding mogelijk een bewuste aanval geweest. De bij de aanrijding betrokken automobilist is doorgereden.

Terreurorganisatie IS heeft later op maandag geclaimd de vermeende aanval te hebben uitgevoerd. De organisatie claimt vaker aanslagen te hebben gepleegd, zonder dat dit altijd geval is.

Verdachten

Veiligheidstroepen hebben in Tadzjikistan in totaal vier verdachten gedood. Een vijfde man is aangehouden, meldt het ministerie van Binnenlands Zaken van het Centraal-Aziatische land.

Een van de gedode mannen is vermoedelijk de eigenaar van de auto die de toeristen heeft geraakt. Het is nog onduidelijk waar en onder welke omstandigheden de verdachten precies zijn omgekomen.

Een van de mannen verzette zich volgens de autoriteiten tegen zijn aanhouding.

Condoleance

De president van Tadzjikistan heeft de nabestaanden van de omgekomen toeristen gecondoleerd. Ook stuurde Emomalii Rachmon volgens het lokale persbureau Asia-Plus condoleanceberichten naar koning Willem-Alexander en de staatshoofden van de Verenigde Staten en Zwitserland.

De Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst bevestigt dat de koning een condoleancebericht heeft ontvangen van Rachmon. De leider van het Centraal-Aziatische land zou verder hebben beloofd dat alle noodzakelijke maatregelen worden genomen om de daders te identificeren en straffen.

Reisadvies

De aanrijding vond zondag plaats in de regio Danghara in het zuidwesten van Tadzjikistan, ongeveer 100 kilometer ten zuiden van de hoofdstad Dushanbe. Hier gelden veiligheidsrisico's, staat in het reisadvies van het Nederlandse ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken.

"Dreiging op aanslagen blijft aanwezig. Wees alert in het hele land", aldus de waarschuwing. Reizen naar de grensgebieden met Afghanistan, Kirgizië en Oezbekistan kan volgens het ministerie alleen in noodsituaties.

Daarnaast wordt gewaarschuwd voor de slechte conditie van de wegen. Ook worden reizigers gewezen op het risico om slachtoffer te worden van criminaliteit. De criminaliteit is volgens het ministerie echter niet speciaal gericht tegen buitenlanders of reizigers.

De broer van de Nederlandse man zegt tegen het AD​ dat de toeristen elkaar onderweg hadden ontmoet. De Nederlanders zouden uit Amsterdam komen en veel ervaring hebben met fietsvakanties in het buitenland. Het stel was vanuit Thailand onderweg naar Iran.

Wil jij elke ochtend direct weten wat je 's nachts gemist hebt en wat er die dag gaat gebeuren? Abonneer je dan nu op onze Dit wordt het nieuws-nieuwsbrief!</s>2 US cyclists, another foreigner killed in Tajikistan

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. and Tajik officials say that two American cyclists have been killed in a car crash in the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.

Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said an unidentified driver rammed a car into a group of foreign cyclists about 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the Tajik capital Dushanbe on Sunday.

Two Americans died, the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan said on Facebook. Another foreign tourist also died on the spot, according to the Interior Ministry. The statement did not say where the third victim was from.

Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Police said it was unclear whether it was an accident or a deliberate attack.

The U.S. Embassy did not disclose further details due to privacy concerns.
Four cyclists, two Americans, one Dutch national and one Swiss national, are killed in the Khatlon Region, Tajikistan by a hit-and-run driver while three others are injured. A 21 year old male suspect has been arrested.