Isis victim turned down evacuation

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Philip Mawer, a British project manager caught in an Islamist militant attack on the Amarula Hotel in Mozambique, declined evacuation offers to ensure women and children were prioritized and was killed shortly after when the vehicle he traveled in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. His death highlights the dangers faced by workers amid ongoing insurgency in northern Mozambique, with an inquest underway to examine the circumstances.

A British man killed during an attack by Islamist militants in Mozambique declined evacuation offers to prioritize the safety of women and children, an inquest has heard.

Philip Mawer, 58, a project manager from Somerset, was caught in the assault on the Amarula Hotel in the coastal town of Palma on March 24, 2021. The hotel came under attack by militants affiliated with the Islamic State-linked group al-Shabaab, amid a broader insurgency affecting northern Mozambique.

Mawer was working for RA International, contracted to build accommodation for workers involved in what is described as Africa’s largest gas operation. On the day of the attack, he had returned to the hotel for lunch when the militants struck.

According to testimony during the inquest, Mawer was offered evacuation by private military contractors from South Africa’s Dyck Advisory Group, who successfully extracted 23 people from the besieged hotel. However, he declined the opportunity to leave immediately, insisting that women and children take priority. He also passed up a secure position in an armored B6 truck, opting instead to travel in a different vehicle.

Lars Narfeldt, chief operating officer of RA International, confirmed Mawer’s refusal to board the helicopter and armored vehicle first, emphasizing his concern for others’ safety. Shortly after departing, the vehicle carrying Mawer was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. The blast caused instantaneous death, according to the inquest.

The region had been experiencing Islamist insurgency activities well before the attack on Palma, but local threat assessments had allowed construction activities to continue. A previous evacuation order issued in December 2020 had been lifted, enabling staff to return to work.

Mawer’s colleagues and friends paid tribute to his character during the inquest proceedings. Gordon Rhattigan, who was also staying at the Amarula Hotel, described him as kind, humorous, honest, and well respected among workers on the project.

The inquest into the events and circumstances surrounding Mawer’s death is expected to continue over several days.

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.