Tunisian authorities discover tunnel leading to French ambassador's residence

Tunisian security services have discovered a secret tunnel leading to the vicinity of the French ambassador’s residence, local media said on Wednesday.

The tunnel was discovered after authorities evacuated families living in large homes above the tunnel, security sources told Radio Mosaique, which posed a potential risk to buildings.

The ambassador’s residence is located in La Marsa, a coastal suburb of the capital Tunis.

A large hole was discovered after residents were evacuated, as preliminary investigations believed it could have been dug to find buried valuables. Security services later found the tunnel was about 270 metres in length and ended close to the ambassador’s residence.

Sources claimed the tunnel was found to have been dug from a house frequented by a known extremist.

Investigations are now looking into whether the digging of the tunnel was terror-related.

There were no comments from the French embassy.

Extremist groups have targeted the North African nation in the past decade, especially since the ousting of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011.

Tunisia is in the grips of a severe political and economic crisis, with President Kais Saied having seized powers in July.