UK flags to be flown at half-mast for Tunisia victims
The UK will observe an official day of mourning on Friday 3 July 2015.
As a mark of respect for those who died in Tunisia last week, the Prime Minister has asked that all government departments, military bases and embassies lower their Union Flag to half-mast for an official day of mourning on Friday 3 July. Buckingham Palace will also be flying their flag at half mast.
As the Prime Minister set out on Monday 29 June, a national silence of one minute will also be held at 12pm.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office staff in the crisis centre in King Charles Street will be marking the minute’s silence – this was the nerve centre for the government’s response to the attack.
View a Storify showing how embassies around the world marked the one minute’s silence.
Many public bodies will be marking the day, including:
- police stations in England and Wales will be flying flags at half-mast, while officers and staff will observe the silence in police stations and at community events
- Police Scotland will also be flying their flags at half-mast
- local authorities and schools are being encouraged to mark the minute’s silence
- Transport for London and National Rail will be placing posters in all stations and will announce over PA systems to remind staff and passengers of the minute’s silence
The government will continue to work closely with the Welsh and Scottish governments, who have both confirmed that they will be observing the minute’s silence and will fly their flags at half-mast.
The Scottish government, Scottish Parliament and 2 Scottish local authorities – where 4 of the victims lived – have also opened books of condolence.
A number of sporting events will be taking the opportunity to respect the day of mourning, including Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, the British Grand Prix and the British Horseracing Authority.
The government has also contacted faith leaders of all denominations to encourage them to join the country in remembering those lost in the Tunisian attacks.