Philip Mawer, a 58-year-old British project manager, was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade during a terrorist siege at a hotel in Mozambique, an inquest has heard. Mawer had been working on a project to construct a new gas field in the African nation when ISIS-linked terrorists attacked the Amarula Hotel in Palma on March 24, 2021.

According to evidence presented at Winchester Coroner's Court, Mawer, a contractor from Somerset, was offered a helicopter evacuation the day after the siege began but declined, stating that women and children should be evacuated first. The following day, during an organized convoy evacuation, Mawer again refused a spot in an armored vehicle and opted to drive himself in a separate car.

Shortly after commencing his journey, his vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in what was described as "instant unconsciousness and death." Lars Narfeldt, chief operating officer at RA International, Mawer's employer at the time, testified that Mawer was exhausted from the stress and confinement of the siege, which involved over 700 civilians and contractors.

Mawer was the country manager for RA International, a company that provides construction and facility services in challenging locations. He had a decade of experience working in Mozambique and had convinced the company's CEO that he was well-suited for the gas field project due to his local connections. Despite a security scare in December 2020 that led to some energy companies evacuating staff, the threat was deemed low enough for Mawer to continue his work.

Mawer's colleague, Gordon Rhattigan, told the inquest that Mawer had reported weekly attacks on the outskirts of the village prior to the siege. Rhattigan had been with Mawer earlier on the day of the attack but declined Mawer's invitation to return to the hotel for lunch, meaning Mawer went alone.

RA International advised Mawer to remain at the hotel on the first day of the siege. The evacuation of 23 people from the hotel the following day was overseen by Dyck Advisory Group, a South African private military organization.

Colleagues remembered Mawer as a strong, friendly, well-liked, and highly competent individual. The inquest into his death is ongoing.