Tunisia terror attack: Most deaths in Sousse massacre 'avoidable'

A member of the Tunisian committee which investigated the terror attack in Sousse says better planning could have prevented many of the deaths.

Some 38 people were killed - the majority of them British holidaymakers - when an Islamic State extremist armed with an assault rifle and grenade carried out the attack in June 2015.

Investigator Lazhar Akremi told Sky News the security forces should have been prepared for such a scenario.

He said: "We have to criticise them. Look, the criticism, in my opinion, is that there should have been a plan that anticipated the danger and prepared for such a scenario.

"People who are not wearing security uniforms, that don't bother the tourists, and are ready to respond at any moment. It was possible that he would kill 2-3 people and then been killed."

However in an interview with Sky News, Tunisia's minister of tourism, Salma Elloumi Rekik, stated that security has now been improved following accusations of a slow response by police. And the country is now safe and ready to welcome back tourists.

She said: "It happened here and in other countries and we apologise.

"It's difficult to make an evaluation when you see what's going on in other countries and the number of victims in Europe, in France, Belgium and other countries too.

"Even in United States. It's difficult to say that there is a mistake but now, form now, we know that we can face this kind of situation."

Whilst Tunisia's security forces may have been slow to act - many hotel workers did risk their lives.

Receptionists Hamdi Qhadraoui was one of the first to respond.

"Yes, it goes on. Everyone feels sad. My family too and friends. They feel sad and they feel guilty" he said.

Inquests have been taking place in London into the deaths of the 30 Britons killed in Sousse.

When the attacker - who had links to the Islamic State - sauntered murderously across the sand, he not only wanted to kill westerners but also destroy part of Tunisia's economy allowing extremism to grow.

In 2014 nearly half a million tourists from the UK came to Tunisia to soak up the Mediterranean sun. But since the assault the resorts have been virtually empty, or have even shut down.

Hotelier Anis Mghirbi says the attack was a tragedy but claims in an age where terrorism is universal Tunisia is being unfairly singled out as an unsafe destination.

"After the Sousse attack there were five terrorist attacks in Turkey, in France, but people did not stop going there."

Tunisia is where the Arab Spring began and in a region of despair its fledgling democracy makes it a relative success story.

But terrorism has devastated a vital part of the economy - and if it does not recover soon many here fear it will make it easier for the extremists to recruit.