BRITISH holiday-makers in Tunisia were being “held hostage” in hotels last night as bosses feared Thomas Cook was about to go bust.
Gates were locked and guests were warned they had to settle up — despite having already paid the travel company.
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Three coaches that turned up to take travellers to the airport were turned away by staff at Les Orangers in Hammamet.
Claire Simpson, who was due to fly home to Manchester last night, told The Sun: “Les Orangers have locked the gates to the hotel and are keeping people hostage.
“Three buses came to take people to the airport and they’ve been turned away.
“They are claiming Thomas Cook hasn’t paid them, so are demanding that we pay them.”
‘GUARDS ON BEACH STOPPING GUESTS FROM ESCAPING’
She said the hotel had stationed security guards along the beach so holiday-makers “couldn’t escape”.
One tourist claimed an OAP was charged £2,500 on her credit card, and another person had to pay £1,800 to get the keys to their room.
Videos posted on social media showed travellers standing by the gates begging to be let out.
Around 40 people were said to be in reception trying to get answers from the hotel and Thomas Cook.
Leo Hodgson, staying in the sister hotel next door, said he feared he will be charged to continue his trip.
It comes after Cook’s put an emergency fleet of planes on standby to rescue up to 200,000 UK holiday-makers as bailout talks continue.
People on package holidays are Atol-protected, meaning the government would have to launch the biggest peacetime repatriation of British citizens at an estimated cost of £600m to the taxpayer.
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FINAL BID TODAY IN CITY TALKS
THOMAS Cook will hold talks with key players this morning in a final bid to find a rescue deal.
The firm faces going bust at 11.59pm tonight unless £200million can be secured to pay creditors.
The talks are thought to be taking place at City lawyer Slaughter & May.
A collapse would leave up to 150,000 UK holidaymakers stranded and 21,000 jobs lost globally.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association, which represents staff, urged the Government to give “real financial support”. Leader Manuel Cortes said: “The company must be rescued no matter what.”
Guards were yesterday hired to lock down Cook premises, including its Peterborough headquarters and at airports.
