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Tunisia attack: Queen offers condolences to victims' families Tunisia attack: Queen offers condolences to victims' families
(35 minutes later)
The Queen has sent her "sincere condolences" to the families of those killed in the Tunisian beach massacre.The Queen has sent her "sincere condolences" to the families of those killed in the Tunisian beach massacre.
The monarch said she and the Duke of Edinburgh were "shocked" by Friday's gun attack and she also offered their "deepest sympathy" to the injured. She said she and the Duke of Edinburgh were "shocked" by Friday's gun attack and also offered their "deepest sympathy" to the injured.
Officials fear the UK death toll is likely to be in the mid to high 20s, out of 38 victims in total.Officials fear the UK death toll is likely to be in the mid to high 20s, out of 38 victims in total.
Relatives of others still missing are anxiously awaiting any news of their loved ones.Relatives of others still missing are anxiously awaiting any news of their loved ones.
Daniel Welch, who has not heard from his grandfather John since the attack, said "we can only expect the worst".Daniel Welch, who has not heard from his grandfather John since the attack, said "we can only expect the worst".
Simon Boon is another Briton desperately seeking information.Simon Boon is another Briton desperately seeking information.
He says he saw his sister Allison Heathcote on news channels being stretchered off the beach on a sunbed, but had very little information from the Foreign Office, and had to rely on news websites and phoning hospitals in Sousse to find out what happened.He says he saw his sister Allison Heathcote on news channels being stretchered off the beach on a sunbed, but had very little information from the Foreign Office, and had to rely on news websites and phoning hospitals in Sousse to find out what happened.
She had received two gunshot wounds, had undergone surgery and was now critical, he said.She had received two gunshot wounds, had undergone surgery and was now critical, he said.
"My brother-in-law - we still have no information. Originally the Foreign Office said he was with his wife but no hospitals have any records," he said."My brother-in-law - we still have no information. Originally the Foreign Office said he was with his wife but no hospitals have any records," he said.
"Nearly 48 hours on, we're none the wiser.""Nearly 48 hours on, we're none the wiser."
At the scene: Mark Lowen, BBC News, SousseAt the scene: Mark Lowen, BBC News, Sousse
There's little trace of the horror - just a sunbed draped in flowers.There's little trace of the horror - just a sunbed draped in flowers.
The beach where Seifeddine Rezgui stood on Friday, pulled a Kalashnikov from his parasol and unleashed Tunisia's worst ever terror attack, has already reopened.The beach where Seifeddine Rezgui stood on Friday, pulled a Kalashnikov from his parasol and unleashed Tunisia's worst ever terror attack, has already reopened.
Camera crews capture the spot; passers-by pause for a moment. But the emotional scars of the tragedy that took place will live on for a generation.Camera crews capture the spot; passers-by pause for a moment. But the emotional scars of the tragedy that took place will live on for a generation.
Emotional scars still raw after Tunisia attackEmotional scars still raw after Tunisia attack
The Foreign Office has put the official UK death toll at 15, but ministers have said this is likely to rise. An unspecified number have been injured.The Foreign Office has put the official UK death toll at 15, but ministers have said this is likely to rise. An unspecified number have been injured.
Other countries affected by the shooting carried out by 23-year-old Seifeddine Rezgui, who had links with Islamic State, include Belgium, Germany and Ukraine. Three people from Ireland were also killed.Other countries affected by the shooting carried out by 23-year-old Seifeddine Rezgui, who had links with Islamic State, include Belgium, Germany and Ukraine. Three people from Ireland were also killed.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn that further terrorist attacks in Tunisia are possible, and urged people to be vigilant.The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to warn that further terrorist attacks in Tunisia are possible, and urged people to be vigilant.
Mohammed Ali Aroui, a spokesman for Tunisia's Interior Ministry, told the AP news agency that investigators were "sure" Rezgui had help.Mohammed Ali Aroui, a spokesman for Tunisia's Interior Ministry, told the AP news agency that investigators were "sure" Rezgui had help.
He said the attacker's father and three of his roommates in Kairouan, where he studied, had been detained for questioning.He said the attacker's father and three of his roommates in Kairouan, where he studied, had been detained for questioning.
An eyewitness told the BBC's Mark Lowen that Rezgui appeared to make a phone call before throwing his mobile into the sea and beginning his killing spree.An eyewitness told the BBC's Mark Lowen that Rezgui appeared to make a phone call before throwing his mobile into the sea and beginning his killing spree.
Scotland Yard says its investigation into the Tunisian attack is "likely to be one of the largest counter-terrorism deployments" since the London 7/7 bombings in 2005.Scotland Yard says its investigation into the Tunisian attack is "likely to be one of the largest counter-terrorism deployments" since the London 7/7 bombings in 2005.
The Met said the operation currently involves more than 600 officers and staff, with many sent to British airports to speak to returning holidaymakers. It has already deployed 16 officers to Tunisia, including forensic specialists and family liaison officers.The Met said the operation currently involves more than 600 officers and staff, with many sent to British airports to speak to returning holidaymakers. It has already deployed 16 officers to Tunisia, including forensic specialists and family liaison officers.
'Won't have had phones''Won't have had phones'
Speaking after she chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, Home Secretary Theresa May said Foreign Office staff were working round the clock in Tunisia and a 24-hour crisis centre was up and running in the UK.Speaking after she chaired a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, Home Secretary Theresa May said Foreign Office staff were working round the clock in Tunisia and a 24-hour crisis centre was up and running in the UK.
She added that she had seen no evidence to indicate the beach was targeted because of the high number of British holidaymakers.She added that she had seen no evidence to indicate the beach was targeted because of the high number of British holidaymakers.
Several relatives have expressed concern about the lack of information from both the government and tour operators.Several relatives have expressed concern about the lack of information from both the government and tour operators.
Holly Graham, from Perth, whose parents Billy and Lisa are missing, said: "Thomson are like they're just reading off a piece of paper. Foreign Office - they just tell you they've got no information."Holly Graham, from Perth, whose parents Billy and Lisa are missing, said: "Thomson are like they're just reading off a piece of paper. Foreign Office - they just tell you they've got no information."
The home secretary suggested officials were having difficulty identifying the British victims as many were not carrying identification.The home secretary suggested officials were having difficulty identifying the British victims as many were not carrying identification.
Mrs May said many would not have had passports with them on the beach and some victims were being moved between hospitals in the country.Mrs May said many would not have had passports with them on the beach and some victims were being moved between hospitals in the country.
"What's important is that the information is absolutely 100% correct when it is given to a family," she told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show."What's important is that the information is absolutely 100% correct when it is given to a family," she told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show.
"If you can imagine, because of the circumstances of the attack, people won't have had documents with them, they won't necessarily have had phones.""If you can imagine, because of the circumstances of the attack, people won't have had documents with them, they won't necessarily have had phones."
The British victims have not been officially identified but the names of some have been confirmed by friends and family:The British victims have not been officially identified but the names of some have been confirmed by friends and family:
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.
Other relatives of those still missing continue to face an agonising wait for information.Other relatives of those still missing continue to face an agonising wait for information.
Daniel Welch, from Swindon in Wiltshire, says he is at a "bit of a loss" about his grandfather John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 70.Daniel Welch, from Swindon in Wiltshire, says he is at a "bit of a loss" about his grandfather John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 70.
He said the hardest thing was "not knowing".He said the hardest thing was "not knowing".
The family of Denis and Elaine Thwaites, from Blackpool, Lancashire, are appealing for information about their whereabouts.The family of Denis and Elaine Thwaites, from Blackpool, Lancashire, are appealing for information about their whereabouts.
The retired couple, aged 70 and 69, arrived in Sousse on Wednesday and had been staying at the Marhaba.The retired couple, aged 70 and 69, arrived in Sousse on Wednesday and had been staying at the Marhaba.
Their son-in-law Danny Clifford said news the family had received telling them Mr and Mrs Thwaites were in hospital was proved to be misinformation. "We are absolutely frantic," he added.Their son-in-law Danny Clifford said news the family had received telling them Mr and Mrs Thwaites were in hospital was proved to be misinformation. "We are absolutely frantic," he added.
Holiday firms have put on extra flights on top of scheduled services for people wanting to return home. Flights to the country have also been cancelled.Holiday firms have put on extra flights on top of scheduled services for people wanting to return home. Flights to the country have also been cancelled.
Thomas Cook said 1,100 people who cut short their stay in the North African country were among 3,600 who have flown back since the attack. It laid on two extra flights on Saturday and one on Sunday.Thomas Cook said 1,100 people who cut short their stay in the North African country were among 3,600 who have flown back since the attack. It laid on two extra flights on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Tour operator Thomson has 12 flights out of Tunisia on Sunday to bring people home at the end of their holiday and repatriate others who wish to return to the UK at the earliest opportunity.Tour operator Thomson has 12 flights out of Tunisia on Sunday to bring people home at the end of their holiday and repatriate others who wish to return to the UK at the earliest opportunity.
Jet2holidays and Jet2.com said they deployed three 235-seat aircraft to Tunisia on Saturday. Two returned to the UK the same night with 313 customers on board. The third is on standby at Tunisia's Enfidha Airport.Jet2holidays and Jet2.com said they deployed three 235-seat aircraft to Tunisia on Saturday. Two returned to the UK the same night with 313 customers on board. The third is on standby at Tunisia's Enfidha Airport.
The beach area at Sousse where the attack took place has now reopened.The beach area at Sousse where the attack took place has now reopened.
Rezgui, a Tunisian student who was not previously known to the authorities, began his attack on tourists at noon on Friday. He had been posing as a swimmer but carrying a rifle under a parasol.Rezgui, a Tunisian student who was not previously known to the authorities, began his attack on tourists at noon on Friday. He had been posing as a swimmer but carrying a rifle under a parasol.
He shot at people on the beach near the Imperial Marhaba and Bellevue hotels. He then entered one of the hotel lobbies, where explosives were also detonated.He shot at people on the beach near the Imperial Marhaba and Bellevue hotels. He then entered one of the hotel lobbies, where explosives were also detonated.
He then walked through the streets of Sousse where he was reportedly chased by local Tunisians, firing shots at them.He then walked through the streets of Sousse where he was reportedly chased by local Tunisians, firing shots at them.
It has also been reported that local builders threw rubble down at him from rooftops as he passed by in the street. The attack eventually ended when he was shot dead by police.It has also been reported that local builders threw rubble down at him from rooftops as he passed by in the street. The attack eventually ended when he was shot dead by police.
Were you in Sousse in Tunisia when the attacks happened? Do you have friends or family affected? Please share your stories.Were you in Sousse in Tunisia when the attacks happened? Do you have friends or family affected? Please share your stories.
You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist, please leave a contact number.
Or WhatsApp us on+44 7525 900971.Or WhatsApp us on+44 7525 900971.