US issues summer travel alert for Europe warning of ‘greater targets for terrorists’

The US State Department has issued a travel alert for Europe, cautioning Americans that the influx of summer tourists and a series of high-profile events “will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations”.

“[W]e are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation,” department officials wrote.

The alert came just hours after the French president, François Hollande, said that terrorism remained the biggest threat to the Uefa Euro 2016 football championship, which is scheduled in June and July.

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

The alert noted that France has extended its state of emergency through 26 July to cover the championship and the Tour de France.

Read More- The Guardian

Image courtesy of Getty