Two men have blown themselves up near the US embassy in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, killing one policeman and injuring several others, officials confirmed.

The Interior Ministry said the two militants died carrying out the attack and five policemen sustained injuries, while a civilian suffered minor injuries.

State news agency TAP reported the Interior Ministry as saying one of the security officers later succumbed to his injuries.

The US embassy said in a statement on Facebook: “Emergency personnel are responding to an explosion that occurred near the US embassy in Tunis. Please avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.”

Photos posted on social media show vehicles damaged from the explosion outside the embassy. A video posted on Twitter shows a number of police running towards the US embassy after the explosion went off.

Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Show all 9 1 /9 Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A police officer and a soldier stand guard at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy in Tunis REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A forensic expert and police officers are seen at the site of a suicide attack near the U.S. embassy REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and firefighters gather at the scene of an explosion near the US embassy in the Tunisian capital Tunis AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia A forensic expert seals off the scene of an explosion near the US embassy AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Forensic experts investigate at the scene of an explosion near the US embassy AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Members of security forces stand guard at the site of a suicide attack REUTERS Suspected suicide bomber triggers explosion near US embassy in Tunisia Police and forensic experts gather at the scene of an explosion AFP via Getty Images

A shopkeeper, Amira, told Reuters: “We heard a very powerful explosion, we then saw the remains of the terrorist lying on the ground after he went on the motorbike towards the police.”

The embassy is located in the Berges du Lac district, where a number of embassies for other countries also reside.

The British embassy in Tunis advised travellers in the area to “remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities”.

“The British embassy Tunis is in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of a suicide bombing near the US embassy in Tunis,” it said in a travel advisory update.

Tunisian police have cordoned off the area and the nearby American School of Tunis has been closed while they investigate.

Paramedics arrived at the scene to treat the wounded officers, said a witness in the area.