Amr Nabil / AP
State Department Warns Americans of European Travel Risk
Travel alert says tourists should be wary of public locations and large events, such as the European Soccer Championship.
The U.S. government is warning American travelers of the potential risk of terrorism if they are planning to visit Europe this summer.
On Tuesday, the State Department issued a travel alert, saying tourists should be wary of public locations and large events. Most notably, the State Department says the European Soccer Championship, which takes place in France from June 10 until July 10, might be a target. The department warns:
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. France has extended its state of emergency through July 26 to cover the period of the soccer championship, as well as the Tour de France cycling race which will be held from July 2- 24.
France has been in a state of emergency since last year’s terrorist attacks in Paris that left 130 dead. French authorities plan on using 90,000 police, soldiers, and private security personnel for the soccer tournament, the BBC reports.
The travel alert also draws attention to the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day, which will bring 2.5 million to Krakow, Poland, between July 26 and July 31. According to the BBC, this is only the third time in 20 years the State Department has listed Europe on one of its travel alerts.