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| Tunisia travel alert: Thousands of Britons fly home | Tunisia travel alert: Thousands of Britons fly home |
| (35 minutes 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 an attack in Sousse last month - and the Foreign Office has urged Britons to leave. | Thirty Britons were killed in an attack in Sousse last month - and the Foreign Office has urged Britons to leave. |
| The advice prompted criticism from the Tunisian government, which said it had done all it could to protect tourists. | The advice prompted criticism from the Tunisian government, which said it had done all it could to protect tourists. |
| But the UK defended the move, with the foreign secretary saying it was "too big a risk" not to issue the advice. | But the UK defended the move, with the foreign secretary saying it was "too big a risk" not to issue the advice. |
| 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". |
| A gunman killed 38 holidaymakers in the 26 June beach attack, prompting Tunisia to declare a state of emergency and increased security at tourist sites. | A gunman killed 38 holidaymakers in the 26 June beach attack, prompting Tunisia to declare a state of emergency and increased security at tourist sites. |
| Ireland, where three of the victims were from, has also warned against "all non-essential travel" to the country, but Germany, which had one national among the dead, and France have not altered their advice. | |
| 'Something's changed' | 'Something's changed' |
| 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 first British tourists arrived at Manchester Airport shortly after 13:00 BST. Some waiting to fly back to the UK criticised the new Foreign Office guidance. | |
| Michelle Ayres, from Suffolk, who is among those waiting to leave, said: "Everyone's disappointed here - and I speak for many people... but obviously they haven't got any option. | |
| "We actually feel we'd be safer in the hotel than leaving it at the moment. We're worried about getting to the airport. Everybody's thinking 'What's going to happen? Is there a threat to us?' and that's why they're getting us out. | "We actually feel we'd be safer in the hotel than leaving it at the moment. We're worried about getting to the airport. Everybody's thinking 'What's going to happen? Is there a threat to us?' and that's why they're getting us out. |
| "The people who came in two days ago had armed police chaperone their buses... We didn't have that when we arrived here (on 4 July) so something has obviously changed." | "The people who came in two days ago had armed police chaperone their buses... We didn't have that when we arrived here (on 4 July) so something has obviously changed." |
| Myles Roberts said he would return to Tunisia once the travel advice changes, adding: "There are nine security guards with machine guns around my hotel, there's a speed boat patrolling up and down with a machine gun on that too. | Myles Roberts said he would return to Tunisia once the travel advice changes, adding: "There are nine security guards with machine guns around my hotel, there's a speed boat patrolling up and down with a machine gun on that too. |
| "I feel safer here than I ever have in London." | "I feel safer here than I ever have in London." |
| Security 'chaos' | Security 'chaos' |
| The UK government said there was no new "specific or imminent" threat but intelligence had led officials to the view that a further terror attack was "highly likely". | The UK government said there was no new "specific or imminent" threat but intelligence had led officials to the view that a further terror attack was "highly likely". |
| Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the Tunisian investigation into the Sousse attack - and an attack in March on the Bardo Museum near Tunis which left 22 dead, including one Briton - was continuing and Tunisian authorities had "made clear they want to track down further individuals who they suspect may have links" to the attacks. | Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the Tunisian investigation into the Sousse attack - and an attack in March on the Bardo Museum near Tunis which left 22 dead, including one Briton - was continuing and Tunisian authorities had "made clear they want to track down further individuals who they suspect may have links" to the attacks. |
| He said a security assessment in tourist areas found more work was needed "to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat". | He said a security assessment in tourist areas found more work was needed "to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat". |
| In response, 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". | In response, 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 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 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." | |
| And a former UK ambassador to Libya questioned why the Foreign Office was focusing on Tunisia when there had been other deadly attacks on the same day in Kuwait and France. | |
| "Is it simply because 30 people got killed there two weeks ago? It's not a good reason," said Oliver Miles. | "Is it simply because 30 people got killed there two weeks ago? It's not a good reason," said Oliver Miles. |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the UK's decision was taken "reluctantly" but the intelligence of a threat was "overwhelming". | |
| He said the Sousse attack gunman's associates were believed to still be at large in Tunisia and, he said, were quite likely to be looking for targets. | |
| He added that at the time of the attack some witnesses, including a former policeman, were convinced they saw a second attacker. | |
| Abta said those due to travel to Tunisia should contact the company they had booked through. | Abta said those due to travel to Tunisia should contact the company they had booked through. |
| 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. | 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. |
| How will this affect my summer getaway? | How will this affect my summer getaway? |
| Kevin Peachey, personal finance reporter | Kevin Peachey, personal finance reporter |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Those who have booked flights and accommodation separately should find that airlines will offer to reschedule flights. | Those who have booked flights and accommodation separately should find that airlines will offer to reschedule flights. |
| Cancellation fees may apply for accommodation or car hire. To get that money back, a claim on travel insurance may be needed. Some travel insurance policies, but not all, will cover the cost of cancellation. | Cancellation fees may apply for accommodation or car hire. To get that money back, a claim on travel insurance may be needed. Some travel insurance policies, but not all, will cover the cost of cancellation. |
| Most travel insurance policies can be transferred to new dates if an alternative holiday has been agreed between a holiday company and customer. | Most travel insurance policies can be transferred to new dates if an alternative holiday has been agreed between a holiday company and customer. |
| Tour operators are prioritising the 3,000 plus people on holiday in Tunisia, and those travelling in the next 48 hours. If you are travelling in a few weeks' time, it might take a while to get any new holiday plans finalised. | Tour operators are prioritising the 3,000 plus people on holiday in Tunisia, and those travelling in the next 48 hours. If you are travelling in a few weeks' time, it might take a while to get any new holiday plans finalised. |
| Tunisia holiday booked - what are your options now? | Tunisia holiday booked - what are your options now? |
| Q&A for holidaymakers from Abta. | Q&A for holidaymakers from Abta. |
| 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. | |
| Ruth Osborne, from High Wycombe, said there were just 34 guests in her hotel but "there should be 800". | Ruth Osborne, from High Wycombe, said there were just 34 guests in her hotel but "there should be 800". |
| "We now have the army outside our hotel, the port is surrounded. We're leaving the hotel at 07:00 tomorrow [Saturday]," she said. | "We now have the army outside our hotel, the port is surrounded. We're leaving the hotel at 07:00 tomorrow [Saturday]," she said. |
| Tour operator Thomson and First Choice said it had no customers currently in Tunisia, and was repatriating all British staff working there "within the next 24 hours". | Tour operator Thomson and First Choice said it had no customers currently in Tunisia, and was repatriating all British staff working there "within the next 24 hours". |
| 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 from airports across the UK to destinations including the Balearic Islands, Spain and Cyprus. | It is also offering additional flights from airports across the UK to destinations including the Balearic Islands, Spain and Cyprus. |
| Thomas Cook, which has cancelled all bookings to Tunisia until 31 October, has two two extra flights bringing customers back to the UK. | |
| 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". | 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". |
| Meanwhile, Monarch Airlines said it was arranging to repatriate all customers in resorts back to the UK "as soon as possible". | Meanwhile, Monarch Airlines said it was arranging to repatriate all customers in resorts back to the UK "as soon as possible". |
| The UK-issued warning comes as the funeral of two victims of the attack - Jim and Anne McQuire, from Cumbernauld - is being held in their home town. | |
| The British victims of the Sousse attack | The British victims of the Sousse attack |
| 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. |
| Tunisia believes the beach attack gunman, Seifeddine Rezgui, trained with the Ansar al-Sharia group in the neighbouring country, though the Islamic State group has 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 has 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 | 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. |
| If you are available to speak to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. | If you are available to speak to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number. |
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