British holidaymakers heading to France have been warned by the Foreign Office of a "high" terror alert in the country.
In the wake of the attack on Bastille Day celebrations in Nice last night, Brits already in the city have been advised to "follow the instructions of the French authorities" and to call the FO if they are concerned about any British national who may have been caught up in the attacks.
"Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against Daesh [also known as Islamic State], the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures," it added.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least 84 people died when a lorry ploughed through crowds on the city's beachfront during Bastille Day celebrations.
President Francois Hollande described it as a "terrorist" attack, although no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The Foreign Office says around 17 million British nationals visit France every year and most trips are trouble free. However, after last night's attack, Hollande said a state of emergency – due to expire on 26 July – would be extended for another three months.
This makes it easier for police to place potentially dangerous offenders under house arrest and disband groups found to be a threat to public order, but also means local authorities can implement curfews or prohibit movement of the general public in certain areas.
Nice airport was evacuated today after a suspicious package was found, but passengers were subsequently allowed back in and flights do not appear to have been greatly affected. Those preparing to travel to the city are advised to check the status of their flight before they leave home.
Passengers on easyJet wishing to cancel their flights into Nice are being offered refunds and British Airways has also said it is contacting customers to offer to change their flights.
"We'd encourage customers in Nice to get in touch with us if they want to make a change to their booking and we will do everything we can to help," said a BA spokesperson.
Both airlines expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
-
Why quitting your job is so difficult in JapanUnder the Radar Reluctance to change job and rise of ‘proxy quitters’ is a reaction to Japan’s ‘rigid’ labour market – but there are signs of change
-
Gavin Newsom and Dr. Oz feud over fraud allegationsIn the Spotlight Newsom called Oz’s behavior ‘baseless and racist’
-
‘Admin night’: the TikTok trend turning paperwork into a partyThe Explainer Grab your friends and make a night of tackling the most boring tasks
-
Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
-
China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
-
‘Lumpy skin’ protests intensify across France as farmers fight cullIN THE SPOTLIGHT A bovine outbreak coupled with ongoing governmental frustrations is causing major problems for French civil society
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
