UPDATE: 8.00pm

A BLACKWOOD grandmother was today revealed to be among those slain in Tunisia.

Trudy Jones, 51, who worked at Highfields Care Home in Blackwood, was murdered while on a week’s holiday at a beach resort in Sousse.

Ms Jones had been due to fly home today and return to work, where she was an activity coordinator, on Tuesday.

But she never made it home from the trip she was said to have planned for months, after a maniac gunman unleashed a horrifying terror attack on the beach-side resort.

Manager of the care home, Shawkat Ilahi, said in a notice to staff: "I am sorry to have to share this tragic news.

 

"Trudy Jones, our activity co-ordinator, was one of the unlucky ones whilst away on holiday in Tunisia.

"We have been informed that unfortunately Trudy Jones is no longer with us. In these sad moments we all need to support each other."

A photograph of Ms Jones was pinned up on the notice board of the home for anyone who wished to leave tributes yesterday.

The brother of Ms Jones is understood to have flown out to Tunisia with a female friend.

A total of 38 people were killed and 39 were wounded in the attack by Kalashnikov-wielding student Seifeddine Rezgui.

The 23-year-old Tunisian aviation student disguised himself as a tourist and began firing at holidaymakers on a beach using the gun he had hidden in a beach umbrella.

His killing spree targeted western tourists on the beach at the RIU Imperial Marhaba and the RIU Bellevue and only ended when he was shot dead by police. A bomb was found on his body.

The so-called Islamic State group has claimed it is behind the attacks and has reportedly identified Rezgui by his jihadi pseudonym Abu Yahya al-Qayrawani.

On hearing the news Islwyn MP Chris Evans said: "When the news broke of the evil attack on innocent holidaymakers in Tunisia we knew it was likely that British citizens were among the casualties.

"The reality of this horrific and brutal attack has now been brought home to our communities with the news that Trudy Jones of Blackwood is among those murdered.

"My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

On Facebook messages of condolence for Ms Jones have poured in with one reader posting: “Young life taken so soon, how awful going on holiday to enjoy yourself and a tragic thing like this happens.”

Pontllanfriath Labour councillor Mike Adams said he was sorry this area was touched by the tragedy.

“How tragic it is for people hoping to have a couple of weeks relaxing in the sunshine to instead come up against such a horrible incident and to be caught up in it themselves with such tragic consequences," he said.

Thousands of British tourists have been returning to the UK following the attack and The Foreign Office is urging people to be vigilant warning further terrorist attacks in Tunisia are possible.

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said: “It has been shocking to hear the details of the horrific attack in Tunisia.

“My thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this senseless act of violence. “The Welsh Government is ready to offer any assistance it can as we deal with the aftermath of this tragedy.”

British police have flown to the beach resort to help identify victims and consular teams are in hospitals and hotels looking after those affected.

 

UPDATE: 5.35pm

ACCORDING  to the BBC Ms Jones had been due to fly home on Sunday and go back to work at Highfields Care Home, where she was an activity coordinator, on Tuesday.

Manager of the care home, Shakwat Ilahi, said in a notice to staff: "I am sorry to have to share this tragic news.

"Trudy Jones our activity co-ordinator was one of the unlucky ones whilst away on holiday in Tunisia.

"We have been informed that unfortunately Trudy Jones is no longer with us. In these sad moments we all need to support each other."

On Facebook messages of condolence for Ms Jones have poured in with one reader posting: “Young life taken so soon, how awful going on holiday to enjoy yourself and a tragic thing like this happens.”

 

A BLACKWOOD woman is among those murdered in Tunisia, it has emerged.

Trudy Jones has been named as among those murdered while holidaying in the horrific beach-side attack.

She is understood to have worked at Highfields Care Home, in Blackwood.

Islwyn MP Chris Evans released the following statement after receiving the news.

"When the news broke of the evil attack on innocent holidaymakers in Tunisia we knew it was likely that British citizens were among the casualties," he said.

"The reality of this horrific and brutal attack has now been brought home to our communities with the news that Trudy Jones of Blackwood is among those murdered.

"My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time."

Pontllanfriath Labour councillor Mike Adams said he was sorry this area was touched by the tragedy. “How tragic it is for people hoping to have a couple of weeks relaxing in the sunshine to instead come up against such a horrible incident and to be caught up in it themselves with such tragic consequences," he said.