A Maltese tourist has recounted how she walked on a Tunisian beach on Friday just one hour before a gunman opened fire and killed some 38 sunbathers.

Pauline Sammut said her blood ran cold when, soon after returning from her stroll, a distraught British tourist told her in the hotel lobby how her friends had just been shot.

She was terrified her hotel would be attacked next, Ms Sammut said.
 
Seifeddine Rezgui, a student, had posed as a swimmer but was carrying a rifle under a parasol. He opened fire on the beach before walking into the Hotel Riu
Imperial Marhaba, continuing to shoot.

Ms Sammut, together with Dione Falzon and Ray Borg, are staying at the El Mouradi Club Kantaoui, situated a few minutes away.

“We were at reception when we saw the British woman in tears,” Ms Sammut said. “I was shocked. It could have been me. The victims were completely
innocent.”

Ms Sammut, Mr Falzon and Mr Borg have decided to stay for the rest of their holiday.

“Believe it or not, tourists here are very calm. Security has been upped considerably – police are constantly patrolling the area,” she said.