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Tourists return to UK after deadly Tunisia attack Tourists return to UK after deadly Tunisia attack
(about 1 hour later)
British tourists evacuated from Tunisia after a gunman killed at least 39 people at a beach resort have arrived back in the UK on special flights.British tourists evacuated from Tunisia after a gunman killed at least 39 people at a beach resort have arrived back in the UK on special flights.
Related: Tunisia prime minister to shut mosques inciting terrorism as Isis claims attackRelated: Tunisia prime minister to shut mosques inciting terrorism as Isis claims attack
At least five Britons have been confirmed dead in the attack in Sousse. Tunisia’s prime minister, Habib Essid, reportedly told a news conference that the majority of victims were British, followed by Germans, Belgians and other nationalities.At least five Britons have been confirmed dead in the attack in Sousse. Tunisia’s prime minister, Habib Essid, reportedly told a news conference that the majority of victims were British, followed by Germans, Belgians and other nationalities.
The travel firms Thomson and First Choice confirmed that their customers were among a number of fatalities” and those injured, and said around 2,500 people would be returned to the UK on Saturday. Nick Longman, the managing director of TUI UK, which owns the Thomson and First Choice travel agencies, said that some of those killed were Thomson customers.
The first six flights from Enfidha to Manchester arrived early on Saturday morning, met by a team of Thomson representatives in the arrivals hall of Terminal 2. Some were clearly distressed as they were led away by airport staff. Of the 6,400 holidaymakers the company had in Tunisia, 1,000 had been flown back to the UK on Friday night and Saturday morning, and more would be returning on Saturday, he said.
Two ambulances were parked outside the arrivals hall, which had a visible police presence, and the airport’s coordinating chaplain, the Rev George Lane, was on hand. Reporters were warned not to approach grieving tourists.
Peter Long, joint chief executive of TUI, said he was “deeply, deeply shocked” at events in Tunisia. “Our whole organisation is reeling with pain to see the suffering that is taking place in Tunisia with our customers. We are doing our very, very best to look after our guests who are still in Tunisia.”
ABTA, which represents travel agents and tour operators, estimates there are 20,000 British holidaymakers in Tunisia, although this figure may not include those who have travelled independently.
Related: Tunisia attack: 'He looked right at me – I thought I was dead,' says touristRelated: Tunisia attack: 'He looked right at me – I thought I was dead,' says tourist
The first six flights from Enfidha to Manchester arrived early on Saturday morning, met by a team of Thomson representatives in Terminal 2. Some travellers were clearly distressed as they were led away by airport staff.
Two ambulances were parked outside the arrivals hall, which had a visible police presence, and the airport’s coordinating chaplain, the Rev George Lane, was on hand. Reporters were warned not to approach grieving tourists.
Ten Thomson flights were scheduled to arrive at Manchester, Gatwick, East Midlands and Doncaster airports on Saturday morning. The holiday operator said all its trips to Tunisia for the next week would be cancelled.Ten Thomson flights were scheduled to arrive at Manchester, Gatwick, East Midlands and Doncaster airports on Saturday morning. The holiday operator said all its trips to Tunisia for the next week would be cancelled.
In a statement, Thomson said its customers could change bookings to Tunisia until 24 July, and added: “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and families of those involved in this tragic event. Thomson said its customers could change bookings to Tunisia until 24 July
“We are actively working with the families and friends affected to provide support in resort and a special assistance team is en route to Tunisia to assist our customers.” and advised anyone worried about friends or family to call 0800 088 5372.
The statement added: “The whole of Thomson and First Choice are deeply shocked and truly saddened by the events and we are grateful to our staff on the ground and the emergency services who are working hard in an incredibly challenging environment.” Thomson advised anyone worried about friends or family to call 0800 0885372.
The travel agency Thomas Cook said it had arranged for an additional aircraft to fly to Tunisia on Saturday, to allow customers wanting to return home to do so as soon as possible. Those due to travel to Tunisia in the next week could cancel their holiday free of charge, or amend their booking if they have plans to travel up to and including 31 July.
One of the dead has been named as Lorna Carty, a nurse and mother of two from County Meath in Ireland. She had been in the resort with her husband, Declan, who had recently undergone heart surgery. It is understood the couple were given the holiday as a present from a family member to help with his recuperation.
Related: Tunisia attack: British man has surgery after shielding fiancee from gunmanRelated: Tunisia attack: British man has surgery after shielding fiancee from gunman
Thomas Cook said it had arranged for an additional aircraft to fly to Tunisia on Saturday, to allow customers wanting to return home to do so as soon as possible.
Those due to travel to Tunisia in the next week could cancel their holiday free of charge, or amend their booking if they have plans to travel up to and including 31 July.
Downing Street said David Cameron would chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Saturday morning and the government “will do everything we can to help those affected”.Downing Street said David Cameron would chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Saturday morning and the government “will do everything we can to help those affected”.
The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government was ready to help the victims and their families in any way possible.The defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government was ready to help the victims and their families in any way possible.
“The murders in Tunisia and the events in France and Kuwait are a very stark reminder that we can never take our security for granted,” he told BBC Breakfast.“The murders in Tunisia and the events in France and Kuwait are a very stark reminder that we can never take our security for granted,” he told BBC Breakfast.
#FindSueDavey #Tunisia haven't spoke to my mom since attack an phone has been handed in please RT !! pic.twitter.com/RfwQQv49le
Anyone concerned about family or friends in Tunisia can contact the Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000. Many have so far been unable to contact relatives who were on holiday in Tunisia.
Conor Fulford, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, used Twitter to try to locate his mother, Sue Davey, who was staying at the Imperial - one of the hotels that was attacked.
Fulford told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’ve watched the news and my two sisters are adamant that they could see my mum on a stretcher. It looked like she had been shot in the leg which is obviously very disturbing, but she was moving so I guess it was a positive compared to the stories that we’re hearing at the minute.”
Fulford criticised the information provided by the Foreign Office “They just said if they find any leads then they will let us know,” he said. “I’m at a loss for words at the minute. They just don’t want to talk to anyone. It’s unbelievable.”
One of the dead has been named as Lorna Carty, a nurse and mother of two from County Meath in Ireland. She had been in the resort with her husband, Declan, who had recently undergone heart surgery. It is understood the couple were given the holiday as a present from a family member to help with his recuperation.
Security had been reviewed at major events being staged across the UK on Saturday, including Armed Forces Day celebrations and London’s Pride march.Security had been reviewed at major events being staged across the UK on Saturday, including Armed Forces Day celebrations and London’s Pride march.
“With big events like that, of course the police look at the security arrangements again and make sure that we take every precaution,” Fallon said.“With big events like that, of course the police look at the security arrangements again and make sure that we take every precaution,” Fallon said.