Survivors want more help for those hit by terror overseas
SURVIVORS of the Tunisia terror attack five years ago today say they were forgotten “as soon as they stepped off the plane”.
Holidaymakers who witnessed the atrocity are still traumatised by the horror in which Seifeddine Rezgui shot dead 38 tourists, including 30 Brits, near Sousse on June 26, 2015.
They say they have not had enough support from the state, or from travel agents who they claim assured them it was safe to go to Tunisia despite a previous attack on tourists there.
Nicki Duffield, 55, who was staying in the five-star Imperial Marhaba Hotel with husband Andy when Rezgui went on the rampage, said: “Because it happened in another country it gets forgotten about, and we’ve had no support. Once we stepped off the plane back in Britain there was barely anything.
“Someone from [holiday provider] TUI handed out a letter and that’s all we ever heard from them.
“They appointed some people to give counselling but it was one woman who had to do the rounds with lots of victims. Appointments were made and not followed up.
That’s all we were ever offered. Now, five years on, it’s expected my PTSD will probably always be there.”
The couple were offered £2,500 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, but turned it down as they felt it was an “insult”.
Nicki has nightmares of Rezgui, 22 – shot dead by police 40 minutes into his rampage – and sees him when awake too.
Nicki and Andy, 61, were on the beach when the gunman opened fire. They ran to the road and hid in a shed before being led to the hotel’s laundry room to shelter with other terrified tourists.
She said: “We were beyond scared. It’s changed me as a person and it’s changed my life.”
The former Prison Service administrator is sure she saw Rezgui two
HOLIDAY Andy in their hotel room
NICKI DUFFIELD WHO FLED SOUSSE ATTACKER
Nicki, with Andy, is still traumatised
days before the attack, scoping out the beach dressed as one of the hotel’s entertainment team. She said: “It’s that face I still see. I’ve sat at traffic lights and had a lorry turn into the road – and it was his face driving the lorry. Not a day goes by without something that reminds me of it.”
Nicki said she told police back in the UK about seeing Rezgui before the attack, but says the counter-terror team never got back to her. She has suffered anxiety and depression and struggles with crowds, noise, and anything on TV that might bring back memories of the horror.
She said: “There should be something in place for victims of terrorism overseas so that when you land back in your country you can get help.
“It’s five years on and life’s still a real struggle. From other survivors I’ve spoken to, many feel the same. So many of us didn’t get the support we should have, from what I’ve heard.”
Rezgui stalks the beach
Victims’ belongings
The couple booked through Thomson Holidays, which rebranded as TUI months after the attack. TUI also co-owned the company that ran the hotel and was responsible for its security provisions, lawyers say.
Mum-of-three Nicki from Watton, Norfolk, said: “I constantly asked them if we would be safe and we were told we would be. We were told there would be increased security. There was no security at all. Nothing.”
TUI said: “Our thoughts remain with all of those who were affected by
Seifeddine Rezgui the horrific incident. As this is now subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further”
A Government spokesman said: “We have paid over £1million in compensation to those affected. In January, we announced that £500,000 will be made available to increase support for victims of terrorism and that we will be undertaking a review of the services provided.”
Life’s still a struggle. So many of us didn’t get the support we should