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TUNISIA BEACH SECURITY CLAIMS

Tunisia tour firm claims it wanted to increase security before Sousse beach attack that killed 38 but ‘didn’t want to scare tourists’

TOURIST firms have claimed they wanted to increase security in Sousse before 38 people were killed in a terrorist attack, but did not want holidaymakers to be "scared by seeing an army of police".

The inquest into the deaths of 30 Brits in the Tunisian resort in June 2015 heard how just one month before the attack there was a discussion about police security.

Tourists pass a plaque dedicated to victims on the beach of the Imperial Marhaba resort
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Tourists pass a plaque dedicated to victims on the beach of the Imperial Marhaba resortCredit: Reuters
Seifeddine Rezgui on the beach after he opened fire
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Seifeddine Rezgui on the beach after he opened fireCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

It was claimed that an increase in security could make tourists feel ";uncomfortable".

Venancio Lopez, managing director of Tunisie Voyages, flew to London to give evidence at the inquests, which are being held in the Royal Courts of Justice this morning.

Mr Lopez said he was at a meeting with British Embassy officials on May 25, 2015, in Tunis when the discussions took place.

The meeting was held two months after the terror attack at the Bardo National Museum, and one month before the Sousse attack.

Fashion blogger Carly Lovett, 24, from Gainsborough, Lincs, who was among the 30 Brits killed in the Tunisian beach massacre
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Fashion blogger Carly Lovett, 24, from Gainsborough, Lincs, who was among the 30 Brits killed in the Tunisian beach massacreCredit: PA:Press Association
Lisa Burbidge, 66, a grandmother-of-four from Whickham, who died in the terror attack
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 Lisa Burbidge, 66, a grandmother-of-four from Whickham, who died in the terror attackCredit: PA:Press Association

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Islamic State terrorist Seifeddine Rezgui massacred tourists - including three Irish citizens - on June 26 at the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba hotel.

Mr Lopez had a list of points he wanted the British Embassy to raise with Tunisian authorities, including the matter of police security, the inquest was told.

The meeting discussed security in the resorts, and how visible it should be.

He said: "If security is too evident they feel uncomfortable in the street.

The terrorist declared allegiance to the Islamic State group before the attack
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The terrorist declared allegiance to the Islamic State group before the attackCredit: PA:Press Association
Families arriving at the inquest earlier this week
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Families arriving at the inquest earlier this weekCredit: PA:Press Association
Many relatives of those who died have been at the Royal Courts of Justice in London throughout the week
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Many relatives of those who died have been at the Royal Courts of Justice in London throughout the weekCredit: PA:Press Association
Owen Richards and his mum Suzanne Richards outside the inquest. Owen's, brother Joel Richards, 19, died in the Sousse terror attack in Tunisia along with his uncle, 49-year-old Adrian Evans, and his grandfather, Charles Patrick Evans, 78
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Owen Richards and his mum Suzanne Richards outside the inquest. Owen's, brother Joel Richards, 19, died in the Sousse terror attack in Tunisia along with his uncle, 49-year-old Adrian Evans, and his grandfather, Charles Patrick Evans, 78Credit: PA:Press Association

"We wanted to increase the security in general but we didn't want tourists to be scared by seeing an army of police."

The inquest heard that it was decided that hotels should have metal detectors and that staff should monitor CCTV.

It was also decided that local cops should patrol the beaches, and that there would be an extra 400 officers.

Earlier this week footage was shown to the hearing showing terrified holidaymakers fleeing for their lives as the gunman went on the rampage.

Several people are seen sprinting along the beach, while others take a few moments to realise something is wrong.


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