An Irish project manager has described the desperate evacuation of colleagues during the 2021 jihadist attack in Palma, Mozambique, telling an inquest that those trapped in the besieged town knew they were not being rescued. His evidence has brought renewed attention to the deadly attack and the circumstances surrounding the death of British national Philip Mawer.
What happened in the Mozambique attack?
Gordon James Rhattigan, an Irish project manager, gave evidence at an inquest into the death of his friend and colleague, Philip Mawer, who was 58 and from Shaftesbury, England. Mawer was killed while attempting to escape the attack when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the vehicle in which he was travelling.
The assault took place in Palma, in northern Mozambique, in 2021. The area was targeted by jihadist militants, creating a fast-moving security crisis for workers and other people sheltering in the town.
According to the evidence reported from the coroner’s court, Rhattigan led an evacuation involving 192 colleagues. The group had spent a day waiting for assistance from TotalEnergies, the energy company operating in the region, before attempting to leave.
Irish survivor tells inquest: “We knew we weren’t being rescued”
Rhattigan’s testimony focused on the uncertainty faced by those trapped during the attack. The group had been expecting help, but the delay left them confronting the reality that an organised rescue might not arrive.
His evidence described the practical and emotional pressure of trying to move a large group of people through an active conflict zone. The evacuation was not a routine transport operation. It involved coordinating colleagues, assessing routes and trying to protect people while violence continued around them.
The account is significant because it places the decisions made during the evacuation in the wider context of an unfolding militant attack. It also provides the inquest with direct evidence from someone who was responsible for helping others reach safety.
- The attack occurred in Palma, northern Mozambique, in 2021.
- Gordon James Rhattigan gave evidence at an inquest in Britain.
- He led the evacuation of 192 colleagues.
- Philip Mawer died after a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.
- The group had waited for help from TotalEnergies before attempting to escape.
How Philip Mawer died
Philip Mawer was among those trying to flee the violence. The inquest heard that a rocket-propelled grenade struck the vehicle he was travelling in, killing him.
His death is central to the proceedings, which are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack and the efforts made to evacuate those caught in it. The evidence from Rhattigan is expected to help establish what happened during the escape attempt and the conditions faced by the group.
Mawer’s death also illustrates the extreme dangers confronting civilians and employees caught in attacks on remote industrial and energy locations. Even after people leave a threatened site, escape routes can remain exposed to ambushes, explosives and other forms of militant violence.
Why the inquest matters
Inquests can examine the circumstances of a death in detail, including the sequence of events, the decisions taken and the information available at the time. They do not simply record that a person died; they can also identify lessons about emergency planning, communication and evacuation procedures.
In this case, the testimony raises important questions about:
- How warnings and security information were communicated to workers.
- What evacuation arrangements were available during the attack.
- How long the group waited for assistance.
- How responsibility was coordinated when external rescue support was delayed.
- What risks people faced while attempting to leave Palma.
The proceedings may be followed closely by families, colleagues and companies whose staff work in areas affected by armed conflict. They may also inform future planning for crisis response in high-risk regions.
Background to the Palma crisis
Palma is in Cabo Delgado, a province in northern Mozambique that has faced a prolonged insurgency. The region’s violence has affected communities, businesses and major infrastructure projects, while creating serious security challenges for local residents and foreign workers.
The 2021 attack placed people associated with an energy development under immediate threat. Large groups may be difficult to move during a security emergency because vehicles, routes and safe destinations must be organised quickly. Communications can also be disrupted, while information about the location and strength of attackers may change from one hour to the next.
That context helps explain why the evidence at the inquest is focused not only on the final escape, but also on the hours of waiting and the decisions made before the convoy attempted to leave.
What happens next in the inquest?
The inquest is continuing to hear evidence about the attack, the attempted evacuation and the death of Philip Mawer. Further testimony may clarify the timeline of events and the actions taken by those involved in coordinating assistance.
Because the case concerns events in a conflict zone, some details may depend on witness accounts, company records, security information and other evidence examined by the coroner’s court. Confirmed findings should be distinguished from issues that remain under examination.
Frequently asked questions
Who gave evidence at the inquest?
Gordon James Rhattigan, an Irish project manager, gave evidence. He had led the evacuation of 192 colleagues during the attack in Palma.
Who was Philip Mawer?
Philip Mawer was a 58-year-old man from Shaftesbury, England. He was a friend and colleague of Rhattigan and died during the attempted escape from Palma.
How did Philip Mawer die?
The inquest heard that a rocket-propelled grenade struck the vehicle in which Mawer was travelling.
What company was expected to provide assistance?
The group had waited for TotalEnergies to send help before the evacuation attempt, according to evidence reported from the coroner’s court.
The wider significance of the evidence
Rhattigan’s account gives the public a direct insight into the decisions faced by people trapped in a rapidly developing attack. It also highlights the difference between having an evacuation plan on paper and being able to carry it out when roads, communications and security conditions are deteriorating.
For the families of those affected, the inquest may provide a clearer account of what happened and how the evacuation unfolded. For employers operating in unstable regions, the proceedings underline the need for robust emergency plans, reliable communication systems and clearly defined responsibilities during a crisis.
The key takeaway from this Breaking News report is that the Palma evacuation involved prolonged uncertainty, a large-scale effort to move colleagues to safety and deadly danger on the escape route. The inquest will continue examining the circumstances surrounding Philip Mawer’s death and the response to the attack.
