Sousse is a popular tourist destination

The ‘majority’ of the 38 people killed in an attack on the Hotel Imperial Marhaba in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse were British, the country’s prime minister Habib Essid has revealed.

Islamic State extremists have confirmed they carried out the attack.

At least five Britons have been confirmed dead by the Foreign Office, which anticipates the death toll could rise.

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office said in a statement:

“A British Embassy crisis team has deployed to the area and is providing consular assistance to British nationals.

“If you are in the area you should keep in touch with your tour operator and follow any advice from Tunisian security authorities.

“If you are a British national currently in Tunisia and wish to inform the FCO of your whereabouts, or you are concerned about friends or family, you should contact us.”

The Foreign Office has set up an emergency number for friends and family of those who may have been affected: 020 7008 0000.

A statement from travel agent group ABTA read: “We estimate there are approximately 20,000 customers currently on holiday with ABTA Members in Tunisia but there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled
independently.

“The situation is still developing and we are liaising with our Members, the Tunisian authorities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning the welfare of holidaymakers in Tunisia and the most appropriate actions to take.”

Some 424,707 British nationals visited Tunisia in 2014, staying mostly in coastal resorts.

According to figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council tourism plays a pivotal role in Tunisia’s economy, generating over 15 per cent of the country’s GDP at around US$7.4 billion, and supporting nearly 14 per cent of total employment in 2014.

Tunisia has been on high alert since March when militants killed 22 people in an attack on a the Bardo Museum in the capital Tunis.

Many of the dead were international tourists.