Norfolk couple shot in 2015’s Tunisian terrorist attack won’t return for holiday

Flashback. Christine Callaghan hugs her husband Tony at a hospital in Sousse, Tunisia, 26 June 2015. Photo: EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA (Image: Archant)

North Walsham husband and wife Tony, 65, and Chris Callaghan, 64, were caught up in the 2015 attack, which left 30 Britons dead.

Mrs Callaghan was left disabled but her husband said the mental trauma had been even harder to overcome.

He said: 'We would not want to encourage or discourage people from going there, but we would never go back for a holiday. And I would urge everyone to check the Foreign Office guidelines before going there and to heed the advice,

'There have been seven terrorist attacks since we were there in 2015, and Tunisia is still on the highest security alert.

'Our lives have been turned upside down. We both had to give up our jobs early, with me having to look after my wife.

'Chris has had eight operations with another to come.

'The mental trauma she suffers, despite having counselling, is terrible. She cannot go out on her own, has to sit in certain positions in cafes so she can see everything people are doing. To see my wife break down in tears, and say she just wants her life back, is terrible. But we remain positive.'

Thomas Cook is resuming flights to Tunisia for UK customers for the first time since the beach attack.

Three full planes, each carrying 220 passengers, are flying to Enfidha this week after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office eased its travel advice.

The FCO had advised against all but essential visits following the attack.

The Callaghans had been staying at the Rui Imperial Maharba Hotel, north of Sousse, when a lone gunman opened fire on the beach, killing 38 tourists, 30 from the UK.

Mr Callaghan was shot in his left calf. His wife received a bullet through the back of her thigh which exited the front. The bullet also severed her sciatic nerve, leaving her with a dropped foot and a disabled leg.