In a statement, the Ennahdha movement said party activist Sami Sifi, 51, died and several staff members and politicians were injured.

The cause of the blaze was not immediately clear.

Tunisia's Interior Ministry said ‘a charred body’ had been taken away by rescue teams and 18 people had been injured, most of whom were treated for respiratory problems.

Videos on social media showed a thick column of white smoke rising from the building, as occupants tried to jump out of the windows to escape the flames.

Ennahdha Vice-President Ali Laarayedh, who served as Tunisia's prime minister in 2013-2014, suffered leg fractures after jumping from a second floor window. His son wrote on social media that he was taken to hospital for treatment.