As
Europe prepares for its busy summer travel season, the U.S. State Department on
Tuesday issued a travel alert cautioning U.S. citizens about the risks of
potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe that could target major events,
tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation hubs.
The
alert supersedes the Europe travel alert issued by the State Department in
March, after the Brussels bombings that killed 34 people and injured hundreds.
The
new alert, which expires Aug. 31, 2016, specifically mentioned the European
Soccer Championship in France, June 10 to July 10, and its many
affiliated events, as potential targets for terrorists.
According to the State
Department, 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 to 24.
Additionally,
the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day event is expected to bring some to 2.5
million visitors to Krakow, Poland, July 26 to 31.
“U.S.
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,” the alert stated.
The
State Department advised U.S. citizens to exercise vigilance in public places
or when using mass transportation, to be aware of their immediate surroundings
and avoid crowded places, and to be prepared for additional security screening
and unexpected disruptions.
“European
authorities continue to take steps to assure public safety and disrupt
terrorist plots,” the State Department said.