Tunisia attack: British woman killed in terror shootings named as Sally Adey

 
Killed: Sally Adey

A British woman killed in yesterday's terror shootings in Tunisia has been named as Sally Adey.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond today confirmed Mrs Adey, 57, a mother-of-two from Shropshire, was among eighteen tourists shot dead by gunmen in the country's capital Tunis.

The group were reportedly cruise ship passengers who were gunned down on a visit to the Bardo Museum.

Mrs Adey, believed to have been a retired solicitor, was with her husband Robert when the terrorists opened fire, but he was reportedly unharmed.

Neighbours today expressed their shock at the “senseless” killings, while Prime Minister David Cameron said he would do “everything we can to help the family of the British woman murdered in Tunisia. We will not let terrorists undermine democracy.”

A neighbour said: “It’s just shocking. I knew she was going away on holiday but you just don’t expect this. You’re not safe anywhere - it’s horrific.”

A spokesman for the cruise company confirmed Mrs Adey’s death, adding: “Her husband is receiving support from the MSC Cruises customer care team in Tunis and we will be offering all possible support to him and his family.

“At this tragic time, the entire MSC Cruises family wishes to extend its most sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those who were affected by this tragic event and are suffering as a result, in particular to the families and friends of those who lost their lives as well as the injured ones.”

In a statement today, Mr Hammond described the attacks as "cowardly".

He said: "Sadly, I can confirm the death of a British woman in yesterday's terrorist attack in Tunisia.

"Consular staff are providing assistance to her family. My thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. The Tunisian people are rightly proud of their democratic transition.

"Cowardly attacks, such as the one we saw yesterday, must not be allowed to undermine what they have achieved.

"I spoke to prime minister Habib Essid yesterday to offer my condolences to all those affected by this despicable act and to assure him we stand together against terrorism."

Commenting on Mrs Adey's death, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "My thoughts and deep condolences are with Sally Adey and all the victims of yesterday's attacks in Tunisia.

“This attack was a despicable act of terrorism and it reinforces our determination to stand united against terrorist acts.”

The Foreign Office today confirmed it was investigating reports that a second Briton was "caught up" in the attacks but would not say whether the person had died.

Along with eighteen tourists, three Tunisians and two gunmen died in the siege - bringing the total death toll so far to 23. A further 44 people were wounded in the attacks.

Also among the dead was Javier Camelo, 28, a Colombian-Australian national who lived in London for a year in 2013, and his mother, Miriam Martinez Camelo.

A friend said: “I just think the world is such an unfair place, how it takes such good people.

“He was such a well-rounded person, I can’t believe it. You read about these things [terrorist attacks] and then you think ‘That’s never going to affect me, it’s never going to come close to anyone I know.’ It’s so sad.”

Shooting: a victim arrives at the Charles Nicoles hospital after the attack (Picture: AP)

When living in London, Mr Camelo worked for American Express in its Victoria office.

A colleague who worked with him in London said: “He was was just the nicest guy to have around we are really in shock. it is a sad day for all of us who knew him.”

Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid today identified two of the gunmen as Yassine Labidi and Saber Khachnaoui, adding that Labidi was "known to security services".

Today Tunisia’s newly-elected President Beji Caid Essebsi said they were linked to the radical Islamist group, Ansar al-Sharia — accused of masterminding a series of political assassinations in Libya in 2013, as well as attacks on cultural targets and also the US embassy in Benghazi in 2012.

He told broadcaster France 24 Tunisia had become home to terrorist “sleeper cells” that need to be “removed”.

“This is an act without precedent in Tunisian history,” he said.

“It is a major catastrophe for Tunisia and its people. Many of the victims were friends of Tunisia who came to this country as tourists.” In an address to the nation he added: “These monstrous minorities do not frighten us. We will resist them until the deepest end without mercy.”

Sources said the men also had links to al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and had spent “a great deal of time” in Kasserine, considered a stronghold for the terrorist group.

A huge manhunt is now under way for up to three other militants who are believed to have fled, while Tunisians have held rallies condemning the killings.

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