As Islamic terror attacks in Western Europe become more frequent, tourists have become increasingly wary of travel to countries like France and Belgium.
Now, the State Department seems to agree this caution is wise. The department issued a rare warning Tuesday to Americans visiting Europe this summer about the potential for terrorist attacks.
The alert reads, “As part of the State Department’s continuous efforts to provide Americans traveling abroad with information about relevant events, we are alerting U.S. citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation.”
Tuesday’s travel alert specifically mentions France’s hosting of soccer’s European Championship and cycling’s Tour de France as possibly dangerous. Two-and-a-half million visitors are expected in Krakow, Poland, for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day in late July, which the State Department warns may also be a target.
According to CNN, French intelligence official said that “authorities don’t believe they’ve arrested all members of an extended [terror] cell behind the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels. While they know more about the cell and have identified more people serving as supporting role, the threat hasn’t waned, the official said.”
The department warns U.S. citizens to:
- Exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation.
- Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities, especially in an emergency.
- Monitor media and local event information sources and factor updated information into your travel plans and activities.
- Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
- Stay in touch with your family, have a plan if you are separated and ensure they know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Well, its good the state department is so concerned for our safety. Too bad they didn’t do the same for our four American in Libya.
Well put! This warning makes me glad I’m visiting a safe country like China instead of France!!!
Part of terrorism’s effectiveness is the uncertainty it creates. Terrorists don’t have to bomb every plane or event. An occasional act of terror is all that is needed to keep people on edge.
” – – an extended [terror] cell behind the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels. While they know more about the cell and have identified more people serving as supporting role, the threat hasn’t waned, the official said.”
The extended terror cell reaches into CIA HQ in DC, the Likud party HQ in “Israel”, the USAF (NATO) base at Incirlik, Turkey, and the MOSSAD operatives in the European Union. Assisting chancellor Angela Merkel to enable ISIL to continue to drive semitic Arabs from their homelands, by providing accommodations in the EU, is being done by Jewish-owned news services.
The idea that “they” have not arrested all the participants in the extended terrorist cell is certainly accurate.
We will be about as bad by summer. They keep importing the Muslims here and they are going to try to take us over too! Thanks Obama and his liberals
What sound advice! Just do what we’d advise you to do under ordinary circumstances!
How many overtime hours did taxpayers pay for so they could come up with THAT piece of brilliance?
A far more useful stratagem was something I found in a memoir about sailing solo: Play “What if?” This guy imagined all kinds of scenarios his boat could get into and how he could get it out of them. Consequently, he was rarely at a loss for what to do when a situation arose. Works just as well for the tourist. “What if” you’re in a terminal and somebody over that way started shooting? Do you run for the closest door, or will that be so crowded you’d be better off running down to the next one? “What if” some celebrity has the main entrance to your hotel so clogged you can’t get through? Playing around with scenarios doesn’t just give you something to do, but if some do-do does hit the fan, you’ll be less likely to stand there like a doe in the headlights.
I feel less safe than ever thanks to Obama’s failed foreign affairs policies. Thanks Obama. Now it’s time for you and Hillary to leave the country. Possibly move to Libya, now that you’ve made it into a harbor for terrorists.
Like the one about traveling in China. Have toured China from one to the other-Twice…only one incident. While in the Li River I tried to buy a piece of glass from one of the local boat venders. One of the boat crew did not like this and grabbed me by the collar. This situation was immediately taken care of. The ‘Tour Director’ (Bob-black belt) who is also an employee of the Chinese Government ‘took control of this situation’. Don’t think that boat crew member would ever put his had on another American! At the times we tour China we felt safe.
I am planning a trip to southern Italy in September. The last time I visited was in 1998.
It was nice to be able to travel back then without all the anxiety — my only worry was hoping I didn’t forget to pack an item.
Obama needs to be impeached and Hillary in jail Wouldn’t she look lovely in one of those striped jumpsuits. Go trump !