Shropshire woman relives terror on the beach in Tunisia

Teresa Rowe had only arrived in Sousse the night before and had spent just an hour on the beach when the gunman began firing at holidaymakers.

She flew back to Britain the following day.

Mrs Rowe, who works for business organisation the Shropshire Chamber, said she heard gunshots and a grenade going off before fleeing from the beach with a friend.

A politician from Mid Wales, who earlier this year stayed at the beachside hotel targeted in student Seifeddine Rezgui's shooting spree last week, has spoken of his shock.

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George spent a week's holiday at the Imperial Marhaba hotel back in January.

He said: "I could not believe what I was seeing.

"It was only back in January that I had stayed at the hotel where the attack happened and watching on television I recognised sights around the area where I had spent an excellent week on holiday.

"The staff were marvellous and couldn't have been more helpful, images of their faces came to mind and I hope they will survive what will surely be a blow to the Tunisian economy.

"But most of all I want to send my condolences to the families of those killed and those who were injured in this dreadful incident.

"The fact I had been in that very hotel such a short time ago really made these events stand out. It is absolutely dreadful."

Mr George, who has been Montgomeryshire AM since 2011, said he hopes the future of the country can still be bright, despite the incident.

"The Tunisian people who I met were so friendly and helpful and from what I hear they are now so worried about their future.

"At the moment I can understand why people may be apprehensive about going there, but I hope that changes in future."

All British nationals injured in the terror attack will be returned to the UK for treatment by today, Downing Street said last night, as the official toll of UK deaths rose to 18.

The 38-year-old, of Telford, said: "I was in Tunisia on that very beach when the attack happened. I didn't see anything, but I heard the shots and a grenade.

"It is very emotional and disturbing seeing the footage and now also seeing new footage as it emerges.

"My friend and I were staying at Royal Kenz hotel, just set back a little from beach.

"When we heard gunfire we just thought it was fireworks but it soon became apparent it wasn't as people leapt from their sunbeds shouting 'run, run, run'.

"My friend and I lost one another for a short time. I went towards an outdoor bar area which was undercover but started to hurriedly walk back to the hotel where hundreds just stood in the large reception area.

"We sat and waited for news as to what was happening when the Thomson holiday rep shouted for us all to go to our hotel rooms until further notice.

"This set alarm bells ringing as we did not know if the gunman was heading our way."

Mrs Rowe said she stayed in her room watching the event unfolding below.

"I watched ambulance after ambulance drive past towards the hotel where the attacks had taken place.

"We knew it was a massacre by the sheer amount of emergency service vehicles flying past.

"We sat watching news coverage which helped us to understand more about what was happening as well as fielding calls from home.

"People were telling us to keep away from doors and windows, to stay low and not to answer the door to anyone."

After three hours, people started to leave their rooms and head downstairs.

"People started to descend to the hotel reception. People were walking with difficulty as they had burnt the soles of their feet on the hot ground in their escape.

"Many tried to return to normality but in reality we just wanted to go home.

"After some time Thomson did arrange coaches and the majority of the hotel tourists left. I was back by Saturday night."

She added: "I am just thankful and relieved to be home, but I think the sounds and images will be with with me for a long time. I don't want to dwell as there are others who saw a lot more than me, lives have been lost and for that reason I need to be strong and grateful.

"We had only been on the beach for an hour, we had arrived on Thursday evening and our first day was the Friday."

Mrs Rowe said she felt sorry for the hotel staff who had looked after her.

"The hotel was above our expectations and the staff were friendly," she said.

"I am now saddened for them really as I am sure it is going to hit them."