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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/09/foreign-office-warns-against-travel-to-tunisia-in-wake-of-attack
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| Foreign Office advises Britons to leave Tunisia in wake of attack | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| British tourists are being advised by the government to leave Tunisia immediately amid fears of a further terrorist attack and concerns that the local authorities are unable to provide adequate protection, the Foreign Office has said. | British tourists are being advised by the government to leave Tunisia immediately amid fears of a further terrorist attack and concerns that the local authorities are unable to provide adequate protection, the Foreign Office has said. |
| Tour operators are organising extra flights to bring tourists back to Britain after the FCO amended its travel advice to warn against all but essential travel to the country. | |
| Related: Tunisia killers have declared war on Britain, says David Cameron | Related: Tunisia killers have declared war on Britain, says David Cameron |
| In a statement on its website, the FCO said the British authorities have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities since the Sousse gun attack, which claimed the lives of 38 tourists, 30 of whom were British. But the FCO said it feared a further attack and had concerns about security measures to protect tourists. | |
| The travel advice says: “Since the attack in Sousse, we have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups in Tunisia. Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely. | The travel advice says: “Since the attack in Sousse, we have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups in Tunisia. Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely. |
| “On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time and we have therefore changed our travel advice accordingly.” | “On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time and we have therefore changed our travel advice accordingly.” |
| The advice is against all but essential travel to the whole of the country, which means tourists should leave immediately and those with holidays booked should avoid Tunisia. The FCO said: “If you’re in Tunisia and you don’t have an essential need to remain you should leave by commercial means. Tour operators are arranging additional flights and will be organising departures for their customers. If you’re travelling with a tour operator, you should contact your tour operator’s representative in the first instance. | |
| “If you’re travelling independently, you should make your own arrangements to leave. Commercial airlines are operating.” | “If you’re travelling independently, you should make your own arrangements to leave. Commercial airlines are operating.” |
| The FCO added: “Further terrorist attacks are highly likely, including in tourist resorts, and by individuals unknown to the authorities whose actions may be inspired by terrorist groups via social media. You should be especially vigilant at this time and follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and your tour operator, if you have one. | |
| Related: Tunisia beach attack: the victims | Related: Tunisia beach attack: the victims |
| “There is a high threat from terrorism in Tunisia. On 4 July the Tunisian government announced it was reinstating the state of emergency, lifted in 2014, as part of its continuing response to the recent terrorist attacks. On 8 July the Tunisian prime minister stated publicly that further attacks were likely. The Tunisian authorities have increased their security measures but have also acknowledged the limitations in their ability to counter the current terrorist threat.” | “There is a high threat from terrorism in Tunisia. On 4 July the Tunisian government announced it was reinstating the state of emergency, lifted in 2014, as part of its continuing response to the recent terrorist attacks. On 8 July the Tunisian prime minister stated publicly that further attacks were likely. The Tunisian authorities have increased their security measures but have also acknowledged the limitations in their ability to counter the current terrorist threat.” |
| In its statement the FCO also advised against all travel to: |