GRAND BASSAM, IVORY COAST— A deadly terrorist attack at several luxury hotels in the Ivory Coast on Sunday sent beachgoers scrambling for their lives.

Six gunmen wielding AK-47s and armed with extra ammunition and grenades opened fire at three beachfront hotels in Grand Bassam, reported Reuters.

Witnesses told Reuters the gunmen followed a pathway to the beach and opened fire at people there, killing 14 civilians. Citizens from France, Germany, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cameroon are reportedly among the victims.

All gunmen were effectively “neutralized” once special forces arrived at the scene. Two special forces officers were also killed, bringing the total number of casualties to 22.

Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday night. This is the third terrorist attack on a West African hotel claimed by the group since last November. The Ivorian government has been strengthening security along its northern border in order to keep out Islamist militants. But Sunday’s attack shows that militants have still found a way to travel south.

Authorities have begun an investigation into the attacks and have found a mobile phone that may shed some light on the attackers, reported Reuters.