A British woman is among ten Christian charity workers shot dead by gunmen in Afghanistan.

Dr Karen Woo, 36, from London, was shot dead along with six Americans, a German and two Afghan interpreters. The team had been providing eye care in remote villages with International Assistance Mission and were returning to Kabul when the attack took place.

Although police believe robbery was the motive, the Taliban have claimed they were behind the attack.

Dr Woo had been working with BUPA before leaving to do humanitarian work in Afghanistan. She had been filming a documentary about her work with charity Bridge Afghanistan.

It expressed its sorrow over the killings in a post on its blog.

The post read: “We have just heard the terrible news from Afghanistan. Unfortunately Karen was part of the group that were killed whilst delivering aid and medical care in Nuristan of Afghanistan. We are distressed and deeply disturb (sic) by sad news. We thank everyone for thinking of Karen at this time.”

IAM said on its website: “We object to this senseless killing of people who have done nothing but serve the poor. Some of the foreigners have worked alongside the Afghan people for decades.

“This tragedy negatively impacts our ability to continue serving the Afghan people. We hope it will not stop our work.”

It added: “Our thoughts and prayer are with those affected at this time.”