Cruise ships turn from tunis

Cruise ships are turning away from Tunis in the wake of a terrorist attack.

Two gunmen attacked a museum this week, which killed one Briton travelling on an MSC cruise, who was accompanied by her husband. Now, MSC says that its cruise ships will not sail to Tunis, with the MSC Splendida will dock as Valletta, Malta, instead. MSC Fantasia was also scheduled to travel there in the summer, notes The Telegraph, but will now call at Palma, Majorca.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond issued a statement yesterday: "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."

424,707 British nationals visited Tunisia in 2014, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The FCO currently advises against all travel to the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, the Tunisia-Algeria border crossing points at Ghardimaou, Hazoua and Sakiet Sidi Youssef, the militarized zone south of, but not including, the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba, and within 5km of the Libya border area from north of Dhehiba up to but not including the Ras Ajdir border crossing.

"If you travel to the interior of Tunisia, you should do so with a reputable tour guide," warns the FCO. "There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners."