A retired school teacher from Canada was among 10 people who were killed when terrorists opened fire in what appeared to be targeted attacks against tourists and police in Karak, Jordan.

Canadian woman, Linda Vatcher, 62, died Sunday after dozens of people were attacked, according to Canada's global affairs spokesman, John Babcock.

Vatcher, who was a retired elementary school teacher, was visiting her son, Chris, who works in Jordan, at the time of the attack, according to her cousin Barb Rhymes.

Rhymes said Vatcher was a widow and mother of two adult sons from Burgeo, Newfoundland. Her son, Chris, was also injured in the attack.

'She was very friendly, outgoing. She was nice to everyone. A friend to all,' Rhymes said from Burgeo, a remote town of 1,400 people on Canada's East Coast.

'It's devastating. It has hit the town hard. My mind is not there right now. She was a beautiful person.'

Canadian woman, Linda Vatcher (pictured), 62, was among 10 people killed when terrorists opened fire in what appeared to be targeted attacks against tourists and police, according to Canada's global affairs spokesman, John Babcock

Shots rang out in different parts of Karak, before a group of gunmen fled to the city's medieval castle, where several tourists were held hostage inside. Seven police officers and two Jordanian civilians were also killed in the attack in Karak

Seven police officers and two Jordanian civilians were also killed in the attack in Karak, a tourist destination famous for its castle about 70 miles south of the capital of Amman, according to Jordan's general security department.

At least 34 people were wounded in the day's violence, which was one of the bloodiest attacks in Jordan in recent memory.

Security officials announced late Sunday, several hours after reports of the first shooting, that the operation had ended and that four gunmen were killed. They said troops continued to search the area.

The officials said large amounts of weapons had been seized. They made no reference to local media reports that at one point, the attackers had held hostages.

Jordanian security forces and their armoured vehicles stand guard in front of Karak Castle after gunmen assaulted Jordanian police in a series of attacks Sunday

Karak Castle where armed gunmen carried out an attack. At least 34 people were wounded in the day's violence

Jordanian policemen stand guard after ending the security operations in the vicinity of Karak Castle

Gunmen entered the castle, perched on top of a hill, and used one of the towers to fire at a nearby police station

A Canadian woman was killed in a shootout between police and armed men who holed themselves up in a medieval castle in southern Jordan

The shootings were the latest in a series of attacks that have challenged this pro-Western kingdom's claim to be an oasis of calm in a region threatened by Islamic extremists.

Shots broke out in different areas of Karak before the gunmen fled to the city's medieval castle, where several tourists inside were taken hostage.

Police surrounded the castle and stormed the fortress, rescuing hostages who were trapped inside.

Vatcher's (pictured) cousin said she was a retired elementary teacher and was visiting her son in Jordan where he works. Her son, Chris was also injured in attack

Vatcher's death could further hurt Jordan's embattled tourism sector, which has declined sharply since the Islamic State group seized large parts of neighboring Syria and Iraq two years ago.

'Canadian officials in Amman are actively working with local authorities to gather additional information and are providing consular assistance to Canadians at this difficult time,' Babcock said.

The Canadian Embassy in Amman issued an alert urging Canadians to avoid travel to Karak, a town in central Jordan about 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of the capital.

A witness said attackers immediately targeted tourists when they reached the castle.

'Four gunmen got out of their car' at the castle, said Wasfi al-Habashneh, a local resident. 'They opened fire at the Canadian tourists.

'The woman was killed, the other Canadian tourist escaped and hid behind a car and one of the children was injured.'

Al-Habashneh said the attackers also targeted other people. Security forces 'engaged with the gunmen and cornered the gunmen at the castle gate', he said.

Government minister and spokesman Mohammad al-Momani called it a 'cowardly terrorist attack' on state television, adding that Jordan is 'packed with terrorist organizations.'

A police patrol responded to reports of a house fire earlier on Sunday, only to be attacked by gunmen inside the home. Pictured, Jordanian police preparing to enter Karak Castle

Another security patrol was attacked. Shots were also fired at a police station in Karak Castle. Pictured, security forces outside the castle

Al-Momani also said a manhunt to 'eliminate' the gunmen had entered its final phase. He did not elaborate.

'The security forces and gendarme are in the final stage and we don't want to pre-empt news... we will be dealing with this group of terrorists and eliminate them,' he said.

The former deputy prime minister and current Senator Ayman al-Safadi told CNN there were unconfirmed reports that three of the five gunmen had been killed.

'There could be people still hiding in the building, probably not venturing out for fear of being shot,' he said, adding he did not know of any hostages at the scene.

The violence began earlier on Sunday when gunmen in different areas of the Karak governorate opened fire in short succession.

A police patrol responded to reports of a house fire in the town of Qatraneh, about 25 miles outside of the city of Karak, according to Jordan's Public Safety Directorate.

Gunmen posted inside the home ambushed the police and wounded two officers before fleeing by car, Al Jazeera reported.

Another security patrol was attacked, but no one was injured.

Shots were also fired at a police station in Karak Castle, wounding 'several policemen and passerby', according to Petra.

They entered the castle, perched on top of a hill, and used one of the towers to fire at a nearby police station.

Authorities then surrounded the castle and 'launched an operation to hunt down the gunmen,' according to a statement issued by the Public Security Directorate.

Gunmen then entered the castle perched on top of a hill and used one of the towers to fire at a nearby police station (pictured, residents outside the castle)

Tourists insid the castle were taken hostage and more than two dozen people were injured (pictured), it was reported

It remains unclear just how many people were involved in the shootings. Authorities said 'five or six gunmen' were involved, but Prime Minister Prime Minister Hani Mulki said there were 10 assailants inside the castle.

Mulki, who was addressing parliament at the time of the attacks, said 'a number of security personnel' had been killed.

Video footage on social media showed security forces taking groups of young Asian tourists up the castle's steep steps to its main entrance as gunshots were heard overhead.

It remains unclear where exactly each victim was killed.

The Canadian government confirmed one of its nationals died, while another was injured.

'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of all the victims, including the Canadian killed and the Canadian who was injured in the heinous attack in Jordan,' Global Affairs spokesperson John Babcock said in an email to Global News.

The Canadian embassy in Jordan also issued a travel warning that read: 'Dear #Canadians, we advise against all travel to #Karak city until further notice due to security incident, be safe!'

The identity of the assailants was not immediately clear and no group has taken responsibility.

Jordanian police inspect the scene in Qatraneh where attackers first opened fire. The identity of the assailants remains unclear and no group has taken responsibility

Gunmen opened fire in different parts of the governorate of Karak. Officers were first targeted in Qatraneh, before shots rang out at a medieval castle in the city of Karak, about 70 miles south of the capital, Amman

Jordan is one of the few Arab states that have taken part in a U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State militants holding territory in Syria.

But many Jordanians oppose their country's involvement, saying it has led to the killing of fellow Muslims and raised security threats inside Jordan.

Officials worry about radical Islam's growing profile in Jordan and support in impoverished areas for militant groups.

Three American service members were killed as they approached the gate at the Prince Faisal airbase in Al Jafr in November,CNN reported.