Europe

US issues travel warning for citizens traveling to Europe

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The United States has warned American citizens intending to visit Europe this summer to be on the alert about possible terrorist attacks.

“We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation,” the US State Department said on Tuesday in a travel alert expiring August 31.

“The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events,” the travel alert said.

The alert asks American citizens to “exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation, be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places.”

The travel alert noted that France will host the European Soccer Championship from June 10 to July 10 and that the French government had extended its state of emergency.

The state of emergency was imposed after the November 13 terror attacks in Paris that killed 130 people, and will continue through July 26 to cover the July 2-24 Tour de France bicycle race.

“Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists, as do other large-scale sporting events and public gathering places throughout Europe,” the State Department said.

It also said the “Catholic Church’s World Youth Day event is expected to draw up to 2.5 million visitors to Krakow, Poland, between July 26 and July 31. US citizens should be aware that local infrastructure may be strained due to the large number of visitors.”

“Poland will impose border controls at all of its national borders from July 4 to August 2, and visitors to Poland during this period should be prepared to show their passport and undergo stricter security screening throughout Poland,” it said.

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