Foreign Office tells Britons to leave Tunisia

The Foreign Office has advised against "all but essential travel" to Tunisia following the terror attack there last month.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a further terrorist attack was "highly likely" despite investigations since the Sousse attack which left 30 British nationals dead.

The FCO said anyone in Tunisia at the moment who did not need to be there should leave immediately. Between 2,500 and 3,000 British tourists are thought to be in Tunisia at the moment, along with around 300 independent travellers.

Thomas Cook, Thomson and First Choice said they were cancelling all bookings to Tunisia until October 31 and would bring back customers and staff as soon as possible in reaction to the new advice.

The Association of British Travel Agents urged people due to travel to Tunisia to contact the company they booked their holiday with.

Mr Hammond said: "More work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat.

"We judge it is right and prudent to make this change. We have not taken this decision lightly but our first priority will always be the safety of our citizens.

"In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to keep the situation under close review and to work with the Tunisians to further understand the threat and to strengthen their security response to it.”

The new advice on the FCO website added: "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.

"The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of Tunisia.

"If you’re in Tunisia and you don’t have an essential need to remain you should leave by commercial means."

It added that anyone travelling with a tour operator should contact them and anyone in the country independently should make their own arrangements to leave.

The attack by gunman Seifeddine Rezgui on June 26 left 38 tourists dead.

Tunisian authorities have made a number of arrests since the deadly attack.

The FCO said: "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.

"The Tunisian authorities have increased their security measures but have also acknowledged the limitations in their ability to counter the current terrorist threat."

Thomas Cook confirmed it had cancelled bookings up until October 31, saying the "safety and well-being" of customers was its top concern.

"In response to the recent change in FCO advice we have taken this decision to bring all Thomas Cook customers back to the UK as soon as we can using third party carriers and on our 10 scheduled flights over the weekend," a Thomas Cook spokesman said.

"Thomas Cook is strongly advising its guests in the country to return on these flights.

"We are also sending our Specialist Assistance Teams to Tunisia to offer customers additional support in resort.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to support our guests in Tunisia at this time and will work to bring them back to the UK safely and as soon as possible."

Thomson and First Choice said they did not have any customers in Tunisia at the moment but would be bringing back their staff within the next 24 hours.

A Thomson and First Choice spokesman said: "Customers due to travel to Tunisia up to and including October 31 will be given the opportunity to amend their holiday free of charge to any of our destinations currently on sale, or receive a full refund."

"In addition to customers being able to amend free of charge, those choosing these new flights will be offered a £50 discount per person."

Read more: What to do if you are in Tunisia or have booked a holiday there