Three Spanish tourists among four dead in the Afghan city of Bamyan

Three Spanish tourists have been killed while touring an ancient city in Afghanistan.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed deaths in Bamiyan in the attack, which also killed an Afghan citizen and injured three others.

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said four people had been arrested.

“(The Taliban government) strongly condemns this crime, expresses its deep feelings to the families of the victims and assures that all criminals will be found and punished,” the statement added.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tweeted that he was shocked by the incident, which also left at least one other Spanish citizen injured.

“Overwhelmed by the news of the murder of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan,” he tweeted.

“I am monitoring the situation on time. The Consular Emergency Unit (of the government) is working to provide all necessary assistance.

“I would like to express all my affection to his family and friends.”

The deaths were reported on Friday evening.

Bamyan is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be reached with a connecting flight from the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The city contains the ruins of 1,500-year-old giant Buddha statues, which were blown up by the Taliban under their rule in 2001 as a sign of the abolition of idolatry.

20 years later, the Taliban returned to power and a project aimed at rebuilding them was discussed.