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Tunisia travel alert: Thousands of Britons fly home Tunisia travel alert: Thousands of Britons fly home
(about 2 hours later)
The first of thousands of British holidaymakers have returned home from Tunisia after a warning that another terror attack is "highly likely".The first of thousands of British holidaymakers have returned home from Tunisia after a warning that another terror attack is "highly likely".
Thirty Britons were killed in the gun attack at a beach near Sousse last month - and the Foreign Office has now urged Britons to leave.Thirty Britons were killed in the gun attack at a beach near Sousse last month - and the Foreign Office has now urged Britons to leave.
The move drew criticism from tourists - and from Tunisia, which said it had done all it could to protect people.The move drew criticism from tourists - and from Tunisia, which said it had done all it could to protect people.
But the UK foreign secretary said it was "too big a risk" not to act.But the UK foreign secretary said it was "too big a risk" not to act.
Philip Hammond said the UK hoped to downgrade its travel guidance "in the not too distant future".Philip Hammond said the UK hoped to downgrade its travel guidance "in the not too distant future".
Ireland, where three of the victims were from, has also warned against "all non-essential travel" to the country. Denmark followed suit but Germany and France have not altered their advice.Ireland, where three of the victims were from, has also warned against "all non-essential travel" to the country. Denmark followed suit but Germany and France have not altered their advice.
'In tears' 'Emerging threat'
Between 2,500 and 3,000 British package holidaymakers are believed to be in Tunisia, as well as about 500 independent travellers.Between 2,500 and 3,000 British package holidaymakers are believed to be in Tunisia, as well as about 500 independent travellers.
The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said its members were aiming to bring customers home in the next 48 hours.The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said its members were aiming to bring customers home in the next 48 hours.
The first British tourists arrived at Manchester Airport shortly after 13:00 BST, with some criticising the government's handling of the situation. The first British tourists arrived at Manchester Airport shortly after 13:00 BST.
Tracey Caburn, from Pontefract, said: "We didn't feel threatened at all. There were guards on the roof, the gates, the beach. We wanted to stay. If they were going to bring us home so quickly they should not have let us fly out in the first place."
Craig Lewis, from Oldbury in the West Midlands, said: "I got out there yesterday, just getting settled, and it's time to come home.
"It's disappointing but for the British government to say there's going to be another terrorist event, it is best to come home."
Les Aston, from Shrewsbury, said: "It's just not fair. I feel very disappointed. They let us go out there and now we've been brought back home. It makes no sense.
"The staff were in tears when we left the hotel. Tourism in Tunisia will be ruined."
'Confused and angry': British tourists return home
'Emerging threat'
The UK government had stressed there was no new "specific or imminent" threat, but intelligence had led officials to the view that a further attack was "highly likely".The UK government had stressed there was no new "specific or imminent" threat, but intelligence had led officials to the view that a further attack was "highly likely".
Mr Hammond said the government had been careful not to act in a "knee-jerk manner".Mr Hammond said the government had been careful not to act in a "knee-jerk manner".
"We now have a much better picture of the emerging scale of the threat as well as a much better understanding of the mitigations the Tunisians have put in place," he said."We now have a much better picture of the emerging scale of the threat as well as a much better understanding of the mitigations the Tunisians have put in place," he said.
Mr Hammond said Tunisian authorities were continuing to hunt individuals suspected of having links to the Sousse attack and an attack in March on the Bardo Museum near Tunis, which left 22 dead, including one Briton.Mr Hammond said Tunisian authorities were continuing to hunt individuals suspected of having links to the Sousse attack and an attack in March on the Bardo Museum near Tunis, which left 22 dead, including one Briton.
The UK warning comes as the funeral of two victims of the attack - Jim and Anne McQuire, from Cumbernauld - took place in their home town.
The Tunisian prime minister said the country had done "everything we can to protect (British) citizens and their interests, as well as those of all other countries".The Tunisian prime minister said the country had done "everything we can to protect (British) citizens and their interests, as well as those of all other countries".
Habib Essid said the government would help people leave, but he planned to speak to his British counterpart David Cameron about the change in travel advice.Habib Essid said the government would help people leave, but he planned to speak to his British counterpart David Cameron about the change in travel advice.
Nabil Ammar, the Tunisian ambassador to the UK, said the move played into the hands of extremists, adding: "This is what the terrorists want."Nabil Ammar, the Tunisian ambassador to the UK, said the move played into the hands of extremists, adding: "This is what the terrorists want."
One Whitehall official told the BBC it was a "very tough decision" and the government was "working hard with the Tunisians to get to a point in the future where we can reverse this decision".One Whitehall official told the BBC it was a "very tough decision" and the government was "working hard with the Tunisians to get to a point in the future where we can reverse this decision".
Abta said those due to travel to Tunisia should contact the company they had booked through. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said counter-terror experts, along with Tunisian authorities, had concluded "that the country faces a very serious threat from an only partially-dismantled terror cell".
Travelling to the country now would be likely to invalidate travel insurance policies, though most policies would provide cover for those already in the country, it added. This means gunman Seifeddine Rezgui had accomplices - "and those accomplices are at large".
How will this affect my summer getaway? Our correspondent added: "They have probably got access to automatic weapons. They have quite possibly been trained, and they could quite possibly be looking for new Western targets.
Kevin Peachey, personal finance reporter "Given all of that, even the measures that Tunisia put in place on the beach were not considered to be enough.
Many families will have booked to travel to Tunisia during the school summer holidays. Most should be able to go elsewhere without losing out financially, or get their money back. "The Foreign Office, in particular the foreign secretary, decided they couldn't take the risk of more Britons being slaughtered. They had to bring them home."
Travellers on package deals must be offered an alternative or a full refund by their travel company, for as long as Foreign Office advice suggests no travel to Tunisia. Analysis by Rana Jawad, BBC North Africa correspondent
Those who have booked flights and accommodation separately should find that airlines will offer to reschedule flights. Resignation, rather than relief, was on display in the departure halls of Enfidha-Hammamet airport.
Tunisia holiday booked - what are your options now? Some British travellers said they knowingly came here after the attack, hoping it would be OK.
Q&A for holidaymakers from Abta. Others didn't even know why they were instructed by their tour operators to pack up, ready to be bussed away for a flight - just days after their arrival.
BBC North Africa correspondent Rana Jawad said there was "disbelief and devastation" among hotel workers, who now fear they could lose their jobs as the tourism industry falters. Sun-kissed children appeared none the wiser as their parents fretted over luggage and spoke of their disappointment about the upgraded travel advice - many of them saying they felt safe with the armed security at their hotels.
Ruth Osborne, from High Wycombe, said there were just 34 guests in her hotel but "there should be 800". The arrivals hall was still receiving other European tourists, but in visibly dwindling numbers.
"We now have the army outside our hotel; the port is surrounded," she said. The echoes of a vacant hall - that would usually be welcoming and sending off a throng of holidaymakers at this time of year - are growing louder.
So too are the worries over the fate of hundreds of thousands in this country whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
'Confused and angry': British tourists return home
What next for Tunisia holidaymakers?
Foreign tourism accounts for about 15% of Tunisian GDP and European Union foreign ministers are to discuss support for the country at a meeting next week.Foreign tourism accounts for about 15% of Tunisian GDP and European Union foreign ministers are to discuss support for the country at a meeting next week.
Tunisia tourism
Source: Tunisian national institute of statistics
Tour operator Thomson and First Choice said it had no customers in Tunisia but was repatriating all British staff.Tour operator Thomson and First Choice said it had no customers in Tunisia but was repatriating all British staff.
It had already cancelled all flights to the country to the end of the summer season (31 October) and said customers could change their holiday free of charge to any destination on sale.It had already cancelled all flights to the country to the end of the summer season (31 October) and said customers could change their holiday free of charge to any destination on sale.
It is also offering additional flights to destinations including the Balearic Islands, Spain and Cyprus.It is also offering additional flights to destinations including the Balearic Islands, Spain and Cyprus.
Tunisia tourism
Source: Tunisian national institute of statistics
Thomas Cook, which has cancelled all bookings to Tunisia until 31 October, has two extra flights bringing customers back to the UK.Thomas Cook, which has cancelled all bookings to Tunisia until 31 October, has two extra flights bringing customers back to the UK.
And a spokesman added customers would be flown back "as soon as we can using third-party carriers and on our 10 scheduled flights over the weekend".And a spokesman added customers would be flown back "as soon as we can using third-party carriers and on our 10 scheduled flights over the weekend".
Monarch Airlines said it was arranging to repatriate all customers in resorts back to the UK "as soon as possible".Monarch Airlines said it was arranging to repatriate all customers in resorts back to the UK "as soon as possible".
The UK warning comes as the funeral of two victims of the attack - Jim and Anne McQuire, from Cumbernauld - took place in their home town. Abta, which has released a Q&A for holidaymakers, said those due to travel to Tunisia should contact the company they had booked through.
The British victims of the Sousse attack Travelling to the country now would probably invalidate travel insurance policies, though most policies would provide cover for those already in the country, it added.
The Tunisian government has increased security in tourist areas, and announced plans for a wall along the border with Libya, to counter the terror threat.The Tunisian government has increased security in tourist areas, and announced plans for a wall along the border with Libya, to counter the terror threat.
On Friday, officials said Tunisian security forces had killed five suspected Islamist militants.
Tunisia believes the beach attack gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, trained with the Ansar al-Sharia group in the neighbouring country, though the Islamic State group claimed the attack.Tunisia believes the beach attack gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, trained with the Ansar al-Sharia group in the neighbouring country, though the Islamic State group claimed the attack.
Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Rezgui, who was killed after the shooting spree.Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Rezgui, who was killed after the shooting spree.
Background and analysis
Are you a British national in Tunisia? Are you following the FCO's travel advice? Send your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you a British national in Tunisia? Are you following the FCO's travel advice? Send your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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