Tunis/ London - At least 12 Tunisians appear to have formed a human shield to protect Western tourists from the Islamist gunman who massacred 38 people at a beach resort, The Independent has learnt.
A photograph that emerged at the weekend showed the killer walking up the beach carrying an AK47 assault rifle, followed by a line of people a short distance behind.
A Northamptonshire woman, who was in Sousse when the shooting broke out, said she met a holidaymaker at Manchester Airport who had been on the beach during the shootings.
He said a hotel chef came running towards them, telling them to run for their lives.
The chef explained that the hotel staff in the line had told the gunman that if he wanted to shoot more tourists, he would have to kill them first.
It has been reported that the man, Seifeddine Rezgui, was targeting Westerners and spared Tunisians.
However, if the account is correct, the staff displayed far greater bravery than previously realised.
The Independent