Paris attack: Foreign Office issues new travel warning for UK visitors to France

Tourists urged to contact friends and family to let them know they are safe

Simon Calder
Travel Correspondent
Friday 21 April 2017 09:42 BST
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One police officer was killed in the latest attack while two more were seriously wounded
One police officer was killed in the latest attack while two more were seriously wounded

After the fatal attack on police in Paris, the Foreign Office has urged British visitors to the French capital: “If you’re in the area and it is safe to do so, contact your friends and family to tell them you are safe.”

The travel advice issued this morning says: “The British Embassy is in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of a shooting incident on the Champs-Elysées in Paris.” It tells travellers to “remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local security authorities and/or your tour operator”.

France is classed as having a high threat from terrorism. “Attacks could be indiscriminate,” says bulletin.

The attack in Paris on 13 November 2015 killed 130 and injured hundreds more at multiple sites across the capital, including the Bataclan Club. On 14 July last year, 84 people were killed when a truck was driven through a crowd of people on the promenade in Nice.

The Foreign Office says: “Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against Daesh (formerly referred to as Isis), the French government has warned the public to be extra vigilant and has reinforced its own domestic and overseas security measures.

“You should be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.”

The French domestic terror threat level is currently at the second highest level, sécurité renforcée — risque d'attentat (“Enhanced security due to risk of attack”).

The Australian government has told its citizens: “Exercise heightened caution across France.”

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