A total of 38 British tourists were killed in reportedly the deadliest Tunisia terrorist attack on Friday. BBC reported that 23-year-old student, Seifeddine Rezgui was among the Islamic State terrorists who opened fire on dozens of Britons at a beach resort in Sousse last week.
"We have started by arresting a first group, a significant number of people, from the network that was behind this terrorist criminal," said Tunisia Interior Minister Mohamed Gharsalli.
People who knew #TunisiaAttack gunman say he was polite, never swore and liked breakdancing https://t.co/5mCfmGtkua pic.twitter.com/GXf8BZ1Llc
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) June 29, 2015
Family and friends of the victims officially identified some of them as: blogger Carly Lovett (24, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire), partners Sue Davey and Scott Chalkley (40s, Tamworth); Adrian Evans, father, Patrick Evans (78) and nephew Joel Richards (19, Wednesbury, West Midlands); Google employee Bruce Wilkinson (72, East Riding); Lisa Burbidge (60s, Whickham, Gateshead); Claire Windass (54, Hull); Jim and Ann McQuire (Cumbernauld); Trudy Jones (52, Blackwood, Caerphilly county); Stephen Mellor (59, Bodmin, Cornwall)
In addition to those named were three Irish, one Belgian, and one German nationals. Investigators are still identifying some of the victims since most of the foreigners were not carrying any form of identity at the crime scene.
About 36 people were also injured, some in serious conditions and are currently under medical treatment at hospitals in Sousse.
Queen Elizabeth sent her statement from Buckingham Palace following the tragedy saying, "Prince Philip and I were shocked to learn of the attack on British tourists in Tunisia on Friday."
"We send our sincere condolences to the families of those who were killed and our deepest sympathy to the people who are still fighting for their lives in hospital, and those who have been seriously injured," she added. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those of all countries who have been affected by this terrible event."
The Tunisian government is now on alert that a series of further ISIS attacks may follow. Flights were added overtime to fly foreigners out of the country, and inbound flights were also cancelled.
According to Gharsalli, 1,000 members of the security were also deployed across Tunisia's tourist locations.
