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British and Irish holidaymakers evacuated from Tunisia
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British and Irish holidaymakers evacuated from Tunisia

BRITISH and Irish tourists are being evacuated from Tunisia today after intelligence advised that a second attack is 'highly likely'.

The British Foreign Office and Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs have both now advised against all but essential travel to Tunisia, with tourists being told to leave the country.

Those travelling with tour operators are advised to contact their tour rep, while Independent travellers are advised to leave via commercial airlines or to contact the British Embassy in Tunis.

The advice from the British Foreign Office was issued after intelligence warned of another attack.

“Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely," they said.

Three Irish citizens and 30 Britons were killed by a gunman in the Tunisian town of Sousse last month..

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland has also upgraded its travel advice.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, announced: “This morning, we took the decision to upgrade our travel advice on Tunisia to advise against all non-essential travel. This is the second-highest warning category on our five-point scale for travel advice.

“We are now encouraging any Irish visitors to Tunisia to review whether their presence in Tunisia is essential and, where it is not, we are advising them to leave by commercial means."

Holiday company Thomas Cook has confirmed it is evacuating both British and Irish customers following the advice. The holiday company has enlisted the help of third party carriers to fly customers back to Britain.

The additional flights will be landing at Manchester and Stansted airports, with onward transport provided for customers from other regions.

A spokesperson said: “We're getting everybody out as quickly as possible.”