Man killed by insurgents in Mozambique gave up helicopter place

Image source, RA International Image caption, Philip Mawer prioritised women and children over himself, the coroner said

A British man killed as he tried to flee from a Mozambiquan hotel besieged by insurgents had given up his space on a rescue helicopter the day before, a coroner said.

Philip Mawer was working in Palma, in the north of the African country, when Islamist militants attacked in March 2021 .

The 58-year-old, from Shaftesbury, Dorset, was in a convoy of vehicles that had left the Amarula Hotel over fears it would be overrun by the rebel fighters.

Hampshire coroner Jason Pegg, who concluded Mawer was unlawfully killed, said he "gallantly" gave up his space on the helicopter, allowing women, children and the sick to be evacuated first.