At least 30 Britons are expected to among the victims of Friday’s Tunisia terror attack, the BBC reports.
So far 15 of the 38 confirmed dead are British, with the country paying by far the highest price in terms of lives, and suffering the deadliest atrocity since the London Underground bombings in July 2005, when 52 people died.
The Queen has sent her “sincere condolences” to families of the victims, expressing her “shock” at the attack, while Home Secretary Theresa May is due to visit the country today to discuss the terror threat with officials.
The identification of victims is taking such a long time due to stringent checks by Tunisian officials, who require dental or other medical records before confirming identities. Many of the victims were not carrying such identification while in the country.
London’s Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation which they say is “likely to be one of the largest counter-terrorism deployments” since the 2005 attacks, with more than 600 officers and staff mostly sent to airports to speak with returning holidaymakers.
Britain’s Foreign Office says more terror attacks in Tunisia are “possible,” including by “individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media.”
Friends and family have confirmed some of the British victims as:
Lisa Burbidge, in her 60s, from Gateshead
Scott Chalkley, in his 40s, from Tamworth
Sue Davey, in her 40s, from Tamworth
Adrian Evans, his father Patrick Evans and nephew Joel Richards, from Wednesbury
Trudy Jones, 52, from Blackwood
Carley Lovett, 24, from Gateshead
Jim and Ann McQuire, from Cumbernauld
Stephen Mellor, 59, from Bodmin
Bruce Wilkinson, 72, from Goole
Clare Windass, 54, from Hull