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. 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. 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. 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. Our condolences go out to the victims' families, and we will continue to work with Tajik authorities in the ongoing investigation," the statement said. Three other cyclists in the group sustained light injuries and sought medical help. Authorities now believe it may have been a deliberate terrorist attack, although armed robbery has not been ruled out. "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.
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.