Hotel Manager Abandoned Guests Before Briton Killed by Terrorists in Mozambique

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

A British contractor, Philip Mawer, was killed in a militant attack near Palma, Mozambique, in March 2021 while attempting to flee a besieged hotel during a terrorist assault. The inquest revealed alleged failures by hotel management and TotalEnergies, including blocked rescue efforts and limited helicopter fuel, which may have hindered evacuation and contributed to the deaths.

A British contractor was killed during a militant attack in Mozambique in March 2021 after an attempted escape from a besieged hotel, an inquest in Winchester heard. Philip Mawer, 58, was working for RA International, which was contracted to build worker accommodations for a large natural gas project operated by TotalEnergies near Palma, a coastal town in northern Mozambique.

Mawer was trapped at the Amarula Hotel when militants linked to the Islamic State-affiliated group al-Shabaab attacked the area. Despite being offered evacuation by helicopter, he declined, reportedly insisting that women and children be evacuated first. He later attempted to flee by road in a convoy but was killed when his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade on March 26, 2021.

During the inquest, accusations were made against the hotel manager, who allegedly fled the scene earlier in a private helicopter accompanied by two dogs, leaving other guests behind. Witnesses said the manager locked refrigerators and switched off the Wi-Fi before departing. One contractor, Nicholas Alexander, who was also present, described the manager’s departure as an act of abandonment that prompted others to attempt their own escape.

The inquest also examined the role of TotalEnergies, with the contractor’s family and representatives alleging that the energy company hindered rescue efforts. Testimony indicated that TotalEnergies refused to provide sufficient fuel to military helicopters operated by DAG (Dyck Advisory Group), a private security contractor on the ground, limiting evacuation capabilities. Additionally, it was claimed that TotalEnergies blocked an SAS (Special Air Service) rescue mission, dispatched from Kenya under the mistaken belief that Mawer was still alive two days after his death.

Max Dyck, chief executive of DAG, confirmed that his group never received fuel directly from TotalEnergies. Mawer’s brother, Bill, told the inquest that he urged his brother to use the evacuation helicopter to save himself but that Mawer prioritized helping others. Bill Mawer expressed that denial of fuel for helicopters significantly worsened the situation for those trapped at the hotel.

The inquest continues to explore the circumstances surrounding the attack, the evacuation efforts, and the conduct of various parties involved. Authorities are examining the actions taken by the hotel management, RA International, TotalEnergies, and private security firms during the crisis.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.