Jordan stabbing: Tourists and local guide attacked with knife in Jerash

Victims thought to include three Mexican tourists and a Swiss woman

(Getty)

Several tourists were stabbed on Wednesday in the Jordanian city of Jerash, along with a local guide and a security guard, police said.

The incident occurred in one of the country's top tourist destinations. The reports quoted an unnamed security official as saying the wounded included three Mexican tourists and a Swiss woman.

Along with the tour guide, three other Jordanians, including a policeman, were also hurt before the attacker was subdued and arrested, reports said.

Earlier reports had said the tourists were Spanish.

The extent of their injuries was unclear as a civil defence source said the victims suffered minor injuries, while another security source said two of the tourists were in a critical condition without elaborating.

There were no immediate details on the identity of the attacker or his motives.

Videos posted on social media showed a bleeding woman lying on the floor and another panic-stricken woman in a blood-stained T-shirt.

In one video, a woman can be heard screaming in Spanish. "It's a dagger, it's a dagger, there is a knife. Please, help him now!"

The ancient city of Jerash and its Roman ruins are popular with foreign visitors.

Jordan's economy relies heavily on tourism, and extremist militant groups have in the past targeted tourist sites, though terror attacks are rare in the country.

In 2016, Isis fighters attacked the southern city of al-Karak – another popular tourist destination.

Fourteen were killed including a Canadian tourist.

The violence began when militants starting shooting at officers patrolling the town, before entering the castle and taking several tourists hostage.

The fighting ended several hours later after a standoff between the militants and Jordanian special forces.

With additional reporting by agencies