Tunisia beach attack inquest watches chilling recreation

Families of the Tunisia beach massacre victims today watched a chilling reconstruction video which showed the terrorist’s deadly two-mile journey around the resort where he murdered 30 British tourists.

Relatives had gathered for the first day of the inquest at the Royal Courts of Justice in London which began on Monday morning. 

They were shown computer-generated imagery of the popular beach in the coastal resort of Port El Kantaoui on June 26, 2015. 

Those inside the court saw the incredibly detailed footage which showed where each holidaymaker was brutally killed. 

Raymond and Angela Fisher, from Leicester, were killed after terrorist Seifeddine Rezgui went on a rampage in June 2015

This image shows the path of terror the gunman made – killing David Thompson, James and Ann McQuire along the way 

The red line and arrow shows the two-mile route the gunman made as he murdered 30 British tourists on a beach in 2015 

Two more victims were gunned down after Rezgui made his way to the indoor pool which was inside the hotel near the beach

Victim Lisa Burbidge was killed next to a desk and chair after the gunman made his way to the first floor administration office

The inquest also heard Tunisian security officers could have saved lives by ending the massacre which killed 30 Britons died sooner – but they deliberately wasted time getting to the hotel. 

The hearing was told that a local investigation into the tragedy criticised some police for stalling as they made their way to the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse.

Rezgui ‘systematically’ gunned down the innocent holidaymakers on the hotel’s beach before going into the grounds and the building and killing more, the inquest heard. 

Chilling reconstruction footage – which lasted 21 minutes and 38 seconds – was played to the court and showed Rezgui’s movements and the exact route he took on the day.

The names and pictures of the tragic victims popped up on the screen as the detailed video continued.

The images were the result of 3D scans in more than 300 locations around the resorts, which is popular with tourists and holidaymakers. 

Families were able to see the path he took, which saw him leave the the beach and into the hotel where he continued to gun down innocent victims.

His route was illustrated by the use of a red arrow and the ‘point-of-view’ footage showed what Rezgui would have seen.

It ended with the gunman making his way past some shops just yards from the beach – before he was shot and killed.

Samantha Leek QC, counsel to the inquest, said a report by Tunisian Judge Akremi had identified failings by local units which could have ended the slaughter before more police arrived and shot Rezgui dead.

She told a courtroom packed with relatives that an unnamed interior minister had told the judge some Tunisian security officers nearby had consciously slowed down their arrival.

Ms Leek said: ‘He said the units that should have intervened in the events deliberately and unjustifiably slowed down to delay their arrival at the hotel. 

Mark Stocker (second right) arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. His parents John and Janet were killed in the tragedy

Tunisia beach attack survivor Owen Richards was photogpraphed arriving at the court in London ahead of the inquests

The inquests into the deaths of the Britons (pictured) killed in the Tunisia beach massacre, in June 2015, began today at the Royal Courts of Justice in London

‘They had the ability to put an end to the attack before the police arrived but wasted a considerable amount of time in getting to the hotel.’ 

Ms Leek said: ‘On June 26 2015, 38 tourists became the victims of a terrorist attack at the Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse, Tunisia.

‘On that day a gunman entered the hotel from the beach, carrying an automatic weapon and a number of explosives.

‘He systematically took the lives of 38 people who had travelled to Tunisia for enjoyment … and relaxation.’

Family members of victims of the Tunisia terror attack arrive for the first day of an inquest into the deaths of 30 Britons in the Tunisia terror attack at Royal Courts of Justice

Mark Stocker (left) arrives for the start of the inquest into the death of 30 British citizens at a holiday resort near Sousse in Tunisia

Families of the tragic British victims were seen arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London on Monday morning

Ms Leek added that an armed guard on the beach opened fire on Rezgui, who responded by throwing a grenade at him.

The guard then fell to the ground ‘seemingly unconscious’, she added, leaving a local speedboat driver, named as AI, to pick his gun up and attempt to confront Rezgui. However he was unable to work the weapon.

She said Rezgui was thought to have acted alone on the beach – albeit with an accomplice in a van nearby – and AI brandishing the gun may have sparked reports at the time of a second gunman involved in the shooting.

A total of 38 people were killed when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui went on a rampage in the coastal resort of Port El Kantaoui near Sousse on June 26, 2015

In a harrowing 25 minute episode, Rezgui (pictured) – who hid his AK-47 assault rifle concealed in a parasol – began shooting at sunbathers on the beach before working his way through the pool and lobby of the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel, killing as he went

He was eventually shot after the rampage in Sousse, Tunisia, on June 26, 2015. He killed 30 British tourists who were on holiday

The lead-up to the full inquest saw the Government apply for certain elements of the inquests to be kept private over concerns about national security. 

When Ms Leek referred to the possibility of asking witnesses questions that relate to ‘sensitive security material’, Coroner Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith said: ‘I am very keen to avoid any in-camera hearings.’

Detective Superintendent Mark Gower, from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit, was the first witness called. 

Mr Gower said that while they could not be absolutely certain about his exact route, this was their best assessment given the evidence in Tunisia CCTV footage and from witness accounts. 

In the hotel reception area, he let off grenades, killing one of his youngest victims, Carly Lovett, who was just 24

A map was shown which pointed out the locations of eight CCTV cameras.

Mr Gower said a number of requests were made to Tunisian authorities for CCTV but it was only material from these cameras that was made available.

He said: ‘We know there were other cameras… whether they were genuine or dummy cameras we don’t know.’

The inquest was shown CCTV of a white van dropping the gunman off. He gets out and walks off, carrying a large item. The van then drives off.  

Rezgui – who was high on cocaine at the time – was shot dead by police after carrying out the attack, for which terror group claimed responsibility

The inquests are being presided over by judge and coroner Nicholas Loraine-Smith and are expected to last around seven weeks.

A minute’s silence was held at the start, after the names of the victims were read out. 

Families’ battles for justice have been intensified by a lengthy and truncated legal process, which had seen the Government apply for certain elements of the inquests to be kept private over concerns about national security.

During a previous hearing Andrew Ritchie QC, representing 20 families, said it was their view that a ‘full and fearless’ investigation would be required to remain in keeping with the principle of ‘open justice’.

He also said many families feared the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) may have failed in its responsibilities to thousands of British tourists.

He said the families were also potentially concerned about the FCO ‘having cosy chats’ with travel companies interested in running profitable businesses ‘in light of FCO then current advice that there was a high risk of terrorist activity, including in tourist areas’. 

Some of the families of those caught in the Sousse attack said they had been assured by tour operator Thomson it was safe to travel to Tunisia after the Bardo attack. 

A total of 38 people were killed when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui went on a rampage in the coastal resort of Port El Kantaoui near Sousse on June 26, 2015. 

In a harrowing 25 minute episode, Rezgui – who hid his AK-47 assault rifle concealed in a parasol – began shooting at sunbathers on the beach before working his way through the pool and lobby of the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel, killing as he went.

In the hotel reception area, he let off grenades, killing one of his youngest victims, Carly Lovett, who was just 24. 

The 23-year-old also claimed the lives of three victims from one Midlands family – Joel Richards, 19, his uncle Adrian Evans, 44, and his grandfather Patrick, 78. 

Rezgui – who was high on cocaine at the time –  was shot dead by police after carrying out the attack, for which terror group claimed responsibility. 

After his death, police said he could have killed many more. An unexploded bomb was found on his person – with the detonator just inches away from his body.  

Rezgui’s family say he was brainwashed while studying for a master’s degree in Kairouan, 35 miles inland from Sousse. 

The families argue the FCO’s travel advice on the heightened terrorism risk should have been mentioned on TUI’s website

Families of 16 of the victims have since claimed that travel giant TUI Group ignored security warnings and put the victims at risk through ‘unhappy and unfair’ practices. 

They say the company ignored security warnings from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, offered steep discounts to sell packages despite being aware of security concerns in Tunisia, and discouraged cancellations with a policy that meant holidaymakers may not get all of their money back. 

The families argue the FCO’s travel advice on the heightened terrorism risk – issued after 22 people were killed in an attack on the Bardo National Museum in the capital of Tunis the previous March – should have been mentioned on TUI’s website, in its brochures and on its booking forms. 

Families of 16 of the victims have since claimed that travel giant TUI Group ignored security warnings and put the victims at risk through ‘unhappy and unfair’ practices

Pictured is Theresa May laying flowers at the scene of the Tunisian beach tragedy 

The inquests, expected to last around seven weeks, will look at security measures at the beach and the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel

Their battles for justice have been intensified by a lengthy and truncated legal process, which had seen the Government apply for certain elements of the inquests to be kept private over concerns about national security.

During a previous hearing Andrew Ritchie QC, representing 20 families, said it was their view that a ‘full and fearless’ investigation would be required to remain in keeping with the principle of ‘open justice’. 

TUI’s lawyer has rejected claims about the company’s pricing strategies and that it was obliged to share FCO travel advice on its website or in its literature.  

The inquests, expected to last around seven weeks, will look at security measures at the beach and the five-star Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel.

It was also look at the emergency response to the attack, the background and preparations of Rezgui and any accomplices, and the adequacy of the travel advice offered by the FCO and tour operators.

The hearing, which is taking place in front of Judge Loraine-Smith, continues.  

THE 30 BRITONS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE BEACH MASSACRE 

In all, 30 Britons were killed in the Tunisian beach massacre, along with three Irish citizens.

One British tourist was shot dead in an earlier attack on the country’s national museum.

They were:

• British tourist Sally Adey, 57, from Shropshire, was among 22 people killed as ISIS terrorists opened fire at the Bardo National Museum in the capital Tunis in March 2015
• Joel Richards, 19, a student at the University of Worcester and a talented football referee, believed to be the youngest of the British victims in the Sousse attack in June 2015; his uncle Adrian Evans, a manager at Sandwell Council in the West Midlands; and his grandfather Charles ‘Patrick’ Evans, 78
• Former plumber John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 73, from Wiltshire. The couple, who had been together for eight years, were staying at the RIU Imperial Marhaba, a hotel they ‘adored’ and stayed in every year of their relationship
• Christopher Bell, 59, and his 54-year-old wife Sharon, from Leeds

Former plumber John Welch, 74, and his partner Eileen Swannack, 73, from Wiltshire. The couple, who had been together for eight years, were staying at the RIU Imperial Marhaba, a hotel they ‘adored’ and stayed in every year of their relationship

• John Stollery, 58, a social worker from Nottinghamshire. He was on holiday with his wife Cheryl and son. He worked with children in care at Nottinghamshire County Council, and his wife said ‘he made a difference and gave his best to others’
• Retired scientist David Thompson, 80, from Tadley, Hampshire. It is understood he used to work for the Atomic Weapons Establishment and was a keen walker
• Chris Dyer, 32, an engineer who practised jiu-jitsu, from Watford. He was on holiday with his wife Gina Van Dort when he was shot. She clung on to her dead husband’s hand as paramedics tried to get her to safety, according to reports
• Trudy Jones, 51, a divorced single mother-of-four from Gwent, South Wales. Described by her family as ‘a caring person who put everyone else before herself’, she had been holidaying with friends when she was killed

• Bruce Wilkinson, 72, a grandfather who was said to be a retired power station worker from Goole, East Yorkshire. He was described by his family as a ‘kind and compassionate man’
• Lisa Burbidge, 66, a grandmother-of-four from Whickham, Gateshead. Her family said she doted on her grandchildren and described her as the ‘most beautiful, amazing, caring and gentle person in our lives’
• Carly Lovett, 24, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. The fashion blogger, who was on holiday with her fiance Liam, reportedly survived the massacre on the beach only to die when a grenade was thrown into her hotel
• Former Birmingham City football player Denis Thwaites, 70, and his wife Elaine, 69, who lived in Blackpool. They had arrived at the resort two days before the attack. Mr Thwaites, a hospital porter, played for Birmingham City from 1962 to 1972 while his wife worked in hospitality

Former Birmingham City football player Denis Thwaites, 70, and his wife Elaine, 69, who lived in Blackpool. They had arrived at the resort two days before the attack

• Philip Heathcote, 52, from Felixstowe, Suffolk. His wife Allison, 48, was seriously injured in the attack. The couple had been celebrating their 30th anniversary when they were caught up in the atrocity
• Engineer Stephen Mellor, 59, from Bodmin in Cornwall. He was killed as he shielded his wife Cheryl on the beach
• Sue Davey, 43, from Staffordshire, and her partner Scott Chalkley, from Derby. The couple worked for Severn Trent Water, who described them as passionate and hugely caring
• Claire Windass, 54, from Hull. She was killed while her husband Jim survived the attack
• Jim and Ann McQuire, aged 66 and 63, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. Mr McQuire was a captain in the Boys’ Brigade, a Christian youth organisation, which said it was ‘shocked and deeply saddened’ by his death

Jim and Ann McQuire, aged 66 and 63, from Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire

Sue Davey, 43, from Staffordshire, and her partner Scott Chalkley, from Derby. The couple worked for Severn Trent Water, who described them as passionate and hugely caring

• Stuart Cullen, 52, from Lowestoft in Suffolk. He is believed to have died instantly. His wife was injured but survived
• Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth in Scotland. The couple were on a trip to the tourist resort of Sousse to celebrate Mrs Graham’s 50th birthday
• Retired printer John Stocker, 74, and his wife Janet, 63, from Morden, Surrey. Their family said the pair ‘were the happiest, most loving couple’

Billy and Lisa Graham, from Bankfoot near Perth in Scotland. The couple were on a trip to the tourist resort of Sousse to celebrate Mrs Graham’s 50th birthday

Retired printer John Stocker, 74, and his wife Janet, 63, from Morden, Surrey. Their family said the pair ‘were the happiest, most loving couple’

• Ray and Angela Fisher, believed to be aged 75 and 69, from Leicester. Their son Adam, from Redhill in Surrey, had not spoken to his parents since they left for their holiday
• The Irish victims were: Lorna Carty, a mother-of-two from Robinstown, Co Meath. Bishop of Meath Michael Smith said Mrs Carty was the victim of a ‘senseless killing’
• Husband and wife Laurence and Martina Hayes, both in their 50s, from Athlone in Co Westmeath. Mr Hayes was a schools transport inspector who had worked for Bus Eireann for the last 20 years.  

Ray and Angela Fisher, believed to be aged 75 and 69, from Leicester. Their son Adam, from Redhill in Surrey, had not spoken to his parents since they left for their holiday

Husband and wife Laurence and Martina Hayes, both in their 50s, from Athlone in Co Westmeath. Mr Hayes was a schools transport inspector who had worked for Bus Eireann for the last 20 years