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Most of those killed in Tunisia attack believed to be British

This article was last updated at 12.49pm on Saturday, June 27


Most of the 39 people killed in the attack on a Tunisian beach resort were British, the country’s prime minister Habib Essid has confirmed, according to reports.


Islamic State extremists have said they carried out the massacre near Port El Kantaoui.


At least eight Britons have been confirmed dead by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which warned the death toll could rise.


Thomson and First Choice said their customers were among “a number of fatalities”, and they had sent 10 aircraft to bring home 2,500 holidaymakers.


The Tui Group operators said the two hotels where the attacks took place – the Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba and the Bellevue – were part of their programmes.


The companies also said they were cancelling all Thomson and First Choice holidays to Tunisia for the next week.


Tunisians, Britons, Germans, Belgians, French and at least one Irish citizen were among those killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists.


Thirty-six others were wounded.


The “majority” of the dead were British, Essid said in a press conference, hours after UK defence secretary Philip Hammond said a “high proportion” of casualties would have been from the UK.


None of the Britons’ identities have been released, but Irish national Lorna Carty, who was in her 50s, was confirmed dead by the Irish government.


The Foreign Office and tour operators Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and Cosmos, have set up helplines for those concerned. Details can be found by clicking here.

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