Hotel workers staged a fake terror attack on British tourists in a Turkish resort as part of a “joke” only months after almost 40 tourists were killed in a terror attack in Tunisia.
Tourists staying at the Grand Yazici Mares hotel, Icmeler, were shocked when men apparently carrying large guns and cans of fuel appeared at the side of the pool and accosted sunbathing holidaymakers.
“I looked around and saw Arab-looking guys stalking around and above the pool carrying big guns,” Jason Phythian, from Fallowfield outside Greater Manchester, told The Sun.
“Other holiday makers really panicked. It was completely out of control,” the 43-year-old electrician, on holiday with his family, said about the incident which saw one hotel worker pour ‘fuel’ over his body before flicking a lighter.
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Worried holidaymakers – among them Mr Phythian – were told the stunt, which took place last month, was a “joke” and part of a “Hollywood-themed poolside show” staged every year by management.
“They thought it was funny to run around the pool dressed as terrorists,” he continued.
Mr Phythian claimed “it was an absolutely disgusting to try and make light of Tunisia in that way,” and that his sister Dawn, who had worried about a similar-style Tunisian attack, was terrified throughout.
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Jet2Holidays, who the Phythian family booked their holiday with, also apologised for the incident at the holiday which they claimed was a “Hollywood themed poolside show”.
“The hotel management now understands that some of the costumes may have caused offense and they will no longer use these in their shows,” a statement to the MailOnline added.
A spokesperson for the hotel, located to the west of Turkey on the Dalmatian coast, also apologised for the incident.
