Tunisia: More British Victims To Be Flown Back

An RAF plane will return to Tunisia this morning, as an operation to repatriate the bodies of Britons killed in the beach terror attack continues.

The C-17 military transport aircraft is expected back at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this afternoon, with all of the victims flown home "over the coming days".

Later today, the names of those being repatriated will be released.

So far, 29 of the 38 tourists shot dead by Seifeddine Rezgui have been identified as British – and police are still trying to confirm the nationality of a 30th person also believed to be from the UK.

On Wednesday, the coffins of Adrian Evans, Patrick Evans, Joel Richards, Carly Lovett, Stephen Mellor, John Stollery, and Denis and Elaine Thwaites were flown back – adorned with white flowers and carried off the aircraft by members of the armed forces.

Their bodies have since been taken to west London, where a post-mortem examination will take place. CT scans will be conducted in order to establish the precise cause of death.

The chief coroner has said the bodies will be released "to the families for burial or cremation as soon as is reasonably practicable".

All of the Britons wounded in the attack have now returned - and are being treated at hospitals in Birmingham, Oxford, Plymouth and London.

They include Allison Heathcote, from Suffolk, who was shot repeatedly in the shoulder and stomach as she celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary. Her husband Philip was killed.

Tomorrow at midday, a minute's silence will be held across the UK, marking one week since the terror attack in Sousse.

Flags are expected to be flown at half-mast over Buckingham Palace and government buildings.

Also on Friday, the funerals of an Irish husband and wife killed in the attack will be held. Laurence and Martina Hayes will be laid to rest at the Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Athlone.

Tunisian authorities are continuing to question several people suspected of being Rezgui's associates - and are accused of offering him weapons and logistical support before his lone wolf attack.

Beji Caid Essebsi, the country's president, has said an investigation is under way into security failures across the region, adding that armed tourist police are now patrolling the beaches once popular with holidaymakers.