Tunisia's Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that a major fire that tore through a large market in the centre of the capital has been brought under control, resulting in one fatality.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning at the "Sidi Abdel Salam" market in the Bab Saadoun area in the centre of the capital. Firefighting teams subsequently succeeded in bringing the blaze under control and preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
Video footage showed flames engulfing all sides of the market, while thick clouds of smoke rose over the area adjacent to the premises of institutions and companies.
Witnesses said the fire destroyed the entire contents and goods of the market, causing severe losses to shop owners.
The Ministry of Interior announced that eight fire trucks took part in extinguishing and fully controlling the flames, and also indicated that a human body was discovered during cooling operations.
The ministry clarified that the security authorities are coordinating with the public prosecutor's office to investigate the causes of the fire, while civil protection teams continue to maintain preventive guard duty and prevent the fire from reigniting given the high temperatures.
Like other Mediterranean basin countries, Tunisia is experiencing high heat waves, though they remain at normal levels for this time of year.