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Tunisia attack: Britain must prepare for high death toll, PM warns Tunisia attack: Britain must prepare for high death toll, PM warns
(about 1 hour later)
The public must be prepared for a high British death toll following the attack on a Tunisian beach resort, Prime Minister David Cameron says.The public must be prepared for a high British death toll following the attack on a Tunisian beach resort, Prime Minister David Cameron says.
At least five Britons have been confirmed dead by the Foreign Office. Five Britons have been confirmed dead by the Foreign Office. Tunisia's PM Habib Essid says the majority of the dead were British.
Islamic State extremists say they carried out the attack. Tunisia's prime minister Habib Essid says the majority of the 38 people killed were British. Islamic State extremists say they carried out the attack which killed 38.
Thomson and First Choice said they are sending 10 planes to bring home 2,500 tourists on Saturday.
The prime minister said his "thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those killed or injured".The prime minister said his "thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those killed or injured".
Read more developments on this story hereRead more developments on this story here
"We are working with the Tunisian authorities to identify the final number of British casualties but I'm afraid that the British public need to be prepared for the fact that many of those killed were British," he added."We are working with the Tunisian authorities to identify the final number of British casualties but I'm afraid that the British public need to be prepared for the fact that many of those killed were British," he added.
He called the attack "savage" and said a "full deployment team" of consular staff, police and Red Cross experts would arrive in Tunisia on Saturday.He called the attack "savage" and said a "full deployment team" of consular staff, police and Red Cross experts would arrive in Tunisia on Saturday.
Speaking in Downing Street after chairing an emergency Cobra meeting to look at the UK's response to the attacks, he said he could only imagine the "pain, and anguish and agony" of families caught up in these "terrible events".Speaking in Downing Street after chairing an emergency Cobra meeting to look at the UK's response to the attacks, he said he could only imagine the "pain, and anguish and agony" of families caught up in these "terrible events".
He also called on the British people to work together with the authorities to "combat this poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is radicalising too many young minds in our country", saying the "terrorists will not succeed".He also called on the British people to work together with the authorities to "combat this poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is radicalising too many young minds in our country", saying the "terrorists will not succeed".
Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among "a number of fatalities", and they had sent 10 planes to bring home 2,500 tourists.Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among "a number of fatalities", and they had sent 10 planes to bring home 2,500 tourists.
The first began to arrive back in the UK on Saturday, with six flights due at Manchester this morning and two having arrived at Gatwick.The first began to arrive back in the UK on Saturday, with six flights due at Manchester this morning and two having arrived at Gatwick.
The Foreign Office's helpline number is 0207 008 0000.The Foreign Office's helpline number is 0207 008 0000.
Thomson and First Choice's helpline number is 0800 088 5372.
'Mum on stretcher''Mum on stretcher'
Tunisians, Britons, Germans, Belgians, French and at least one Irish citizen were among those killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists. Thirty-six others were wounded.Tunisians, Britons, Germans, Belgians, French and at least one Irish citizen were among those killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists. Thirty-six others were wounded.
None of the Britons' identities have been released, but Irish national Lorna Carty, who was in her 50s, was confirmed dead by the Irish government.None of the Britons' identities have been released, but Irish national Lorna Carty, who was in her 50s, was confirmed dead by the Irish government.
A gunman was shot dead by police. A gunman - named later as Seifeddine Rezgui, a student not previously known to authorities - was shot dead by police.
We are seeking your stories relating to the Tunisia attacks. If you or anyone you know has been affected please contact us in the following ways.We are seeking your stories relating to the Tunisia attacks. If you or anyone you know has been affected please contact us in the following ways.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
Jeremy Moore, who landed at Gatwick on Saturday, said he was "pleased to get home" and passengers on his plane were clapping as it landed.Jeremy Moore, who landed at Gatwick on Saturday, said he was "pleased to get home" and passengers on his plane were clapping as it landed.
Olivia Leathley returned home to Manchester with her boyfriend Mike Jones. She said they heard grenades exploding and that they ran to a hotel security lodge with its employees.Olivia Leathley returned home to Manchester with her boyfriend Mike Jones. She said they heard grenades exploding and that they ran to a hotel security lodge with its employees.
"We didn't feel safe until our feet were on British soil," she added."We didn't feel safe until our feet were on British soil," she added.
A number of Britons have issued desperate pleas for information about relatives who have not made contact since the attack.A number of Britons have issued desperate pleas for information about relatives who have not made contact since the attack.
Conor Fulford, from Tamworth in Staffordshire, said his mother, Sue Davey was missing but he thought he had seen her on a stretcher during a television report. Conor Fulford, from Tamworth in Staffordshire, said his mother Sue Davey was missing but he thought he had seen her on a stretcher during a television report.
"My sisters back home, they're convinced," he said. "But again that's not 100%. In this sort of situation you're just clutching at straws aren't you. I'm just trying to get on the internet and just trying to get people in and around the area to try... and find where she is.""My sisters back home, they're convinced," he said. "But again that's not 100%. In this sort of situation you're just clutching at straws aren't you. I'm just trying to get on the internet and just trying to get people in and around the area to try... and find where she is."
Others described the moment of the attack.
Steve Johnson, told the BBC: "We were just lying on the beach as usual and... we heard what we thought at first was fireworks.
"But it was soon pretty obvious... that it was firearms that were being discharged and people screaming and starting to run."
The BBC's Ben Brown has tweeted: "Tourists still here in Sousse look dazed - can't quite believe what happened." But he has also posted an image of holidaymakers back around the pool.The BBC's Ben Brown has tweeted: "Tourists still here in Sousse look dazed - can't quite believe what happened." But he has also posted an image of holidaymakers back around the pool.
'He took a bullet for me''He took a bullet for me'
One survivor told the BBC how her fiance Matthew James, a Welsh tourist, had been shot three times as he used his body as a shield.One survivor told the BBC how her fiance Matthew James, a Welsh tourist, had been shot three times as he used his body as a shield.
"He took a bullet for me," said Saera Wilson. "I owe him my life because he threw himself in front of me when the shooting started. It was the bravest thing I've ever known.""He took a bullet for me," said Saera Wilson. "I owe him my life because he threw himself in front of me when the shooting started. It was the bravest thing I've ever known."
Tourist was human shieldTourist was human shield
Thomson and First Choice said the two hotels where the attacks took place - the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue - were part of their programme. Thomson and First Choice said the two hotels where the attacks took place - the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue - were part of their programme and that they had a special assistance team on its way to Tunisia.
A special assistance team is on its way to Tunisia and anyone with concerns about friends and families should call 0800 0885372, it added.
The companies also said they were cancelling all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for the next week.The companies also said they were cancelling all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for the next week.
Peter Long, joint chief executive of the Tui Group which owns the two travel companies, said it had teams of people working to help affected tourists, but that the "tragedy of the situation continues".
Nick Longman, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, said a number of the fatalities were confirmed as being Thomson and First Choice customers.Nick Longman, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, said a number of the fatalities were confirmed as being Thomson and First Choice customers.
He also said the company is "deeply shocked and truly saddened by the events" and is putting on additional flights on Saturday and Sunday for those who wish to return to the UK.He also said the company is "deeply shocked and truly saddened by the events" and is putting on additional flights on Saturday and Sunday for those who wish to return to the UK.
Anyone who wanted to return home could do so by Sunday, he said.Anyone who wanted to return home could do so by Sunday, he said.
There are about 6,400 Tui customers in Tunisia, of which 1,000 have returned so far since the shooting, he added.There are about 6,400 Tui customers in Tunisia, of which 1,000 have returned so far since the shooting, he added.
ABTA travel association estimates there are approximately 20,000 customers currently on holiday with its members in Tunisia, but says there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled independently.ABTA travel association estimates there are approximately 20,000 customers currently on holiday with its members in Tunisia, but says there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled independently.
The Foreign Office said the British embassy in Tunis was sending a crisis team to the area. "Any British nationals in these hotels or nearby should remain indoors, and contact their tour operator and the Foreign Office," the FCO said in its updated travel advice - which discourages all but essential visits to some parts of the country.
"Any British nationals in these hotels or nearby should remain indoors, and contact their tour operator and the Foreign Office," the FCO said in its updated travel advice.
Mr Cameron has pledged government "help and support" for the victims, with Saturday's Cobra meeting expected to discuss the practicalities.
It is anticipated that there will also be discussion on whether travel advice on Tunisia - which discourages all but essential visits to some parts of the country - needs to be strengthened further.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said UK security arrangements were under "continuous review" following the "appalling murders" in Tunisia.Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said UK security arrangements were under "continuous review" following the "appalling murders" in Tunisia.
He added that the UK's threat level "is already very high". He added that the UK's threat level was already "very high".
'Won't be beaten''Won't be beaten'
Some Britons said they would stay on in Tunisia.Some Britons said they would stay on in Tunisia.
Sally Groome, from Beverley near Hull, said: "[We are] scared to death but staying. We won't be beaten. We've had reassurance that we are in a very safe place and we feel confident that it can't happen again. It won't happen again, it was a one off." Sally Groome, from Beverley near Hull, said: "[We are] scared to death but staying. We won't be beaten. We've had reassurance that we are in a very safe place and we feel confident that it can't happen again. It won't happen again, it was a one-off."
Security officials said the attacker had posed as a swimmer but was carrying a rifle under a parasol. He started shooting on the beach before entering the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba, continuing to shoot as he walked past the pool.Security officials said the attacker had posed as a swimmer but was carrying a rifle under a parasol. He started shooting on the beach before entering the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba, continuing to shoot as he walked past the pool.
He was then shot dead in an exchange of fire with police, officials said. They said he was a student not previously known to authorities. He was then shot dead in an exchange of fire with police, officials said.
Social media accounts close to IS showed pictures of the man they said had carried out the killings, while video footage appeared to show the body of a suspected gunman lying in a street.Social media accounts close to IS showed pictures of the man they said had carried out the killings, while video footage appeared to show the body of a suspected gunman lying in a street.
Local media reported a second suspected attacker had been arrested, but this has not been confirmed.Local media reported a second suspected attacker had been arrested, but this has not been confirmed.
Day of attacksDay of attacks
The shooting in Tunisia came on Friday, the same day as:The shooting in Tunisia came on Friday, the same day as:
France, Kuwait and Tunisia attacks: What we know and are the three attacks connected?France, Kuwait and Tunisia attacks: What we know and are the three attacks connected?
Who could be behind Tunisia attack?Who could be behind Tunisia attack?
Are you in Tunisia? Do you have friends or family who are in the area? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Tunisia? Do you have friends or family who are in the area? Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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