Friday 20 November 2015

FRANCE: How Safe Is Paris?

Is it safe to travel?

US President Barack Obama:
"We've seen an outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians, this is an attack not just on Paris, it is an attack not just on the people of France, but it is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share."

David Cameron:
"I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."

German chancellor Angela Merkel:
"Deeply shocked" by events,the German foreign office said.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon:
"The Secretary-General condemns the despicable terrorist attacks carried out today in various locations in and around Paris," his spokesman said.

London mayor Boris Johnson :
"Saddened to hear the terrible news from Paris - my thoughts and those of Londoners are with Parisians tonight."

Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau:
"I am shocked and saddened that so many people have been killed and injured in violent attacks in Paris. Canada stands with France at this dark time and offers all possible assistance."

Russian President Vladimir Putin:
The Kremlin condemned the "hateful" string of attacks and the "inhuman murders" in Paris Friday, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. President Putin has offered his condolences and support to his counterpart Francois Hollande and the French people.

Local Transport

Metro services are running as normal, although Oberkampf station, near the Bataclan, is still closed.

What about visitor atractions and events?

French authorities closed several major attractions, including Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Disneyland Paris, following the attacks.

The Louvre reopened at 1pm local time (Noon GMT) on Monday, following a minute's silence.

"In tragic moments that pass over France, culture is more than ever the symbolic place of discovery for oneself and others," culture minister Fleur Pellerin said in a statement on Sunday night.

Many of the city's other museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet, are normally closed on Mondays and will open as usual on Tuesday at 10am local time.
The Eiffel Tower reopened on Tuesday.

Disneyland Paris however remained closed until Wednesday. In a statement it said the decision had been taken “in support of our community and the victims of these horrendous attacks”.

The huge security presence probably means that it is as safe as it can be, though there are likely to be delays at airports and on Eurostar because of this extra security. Border control checks have also been implemented at all entry points into France.

The French Ministry of Education has cancelled all school trips within France by French schools until Sunday, November 22; these cancellations don’t specifically include foreign school parties, but the French Ministry of Education has advised foreign school groups to avoid travelling to France for the time being.

The Foreign Office has advised British nationals to exercise caution in public places and follow the advice of the local authorities. "On Friday 13 November, a number of terrorist incidents took place in Paris resulting in widespread casualties," its website states. "French authorities have heightened security measures due to a risk of further attacks.

"The advice of the Paris Police is currently to keep movement around town to a minimum. Systematic border control checks have been implemented at all entry points into France.

"A national state of emergency and a three-day period of mourning have been declared (14-16 November). Public gatherings, the flying of drones and use of fireworks in the Ile de France region (Paris and surrounding area) have been prohibited.

"If you are considering returning to the UK, please contact your travel company for information on availability."

The Foreign Office says the threat from terrorism in France is "high", the same rating given to more than 30 other countries, ranging from holiday destinations such as Turkey and Spain to war-torn states like Libya and Iraq.

"Attacks could be indiscriminate," it adds. "Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against ISIL, the French government has warned the public to be extra vigilant and reinforced its own domestic and overseas security measures."

Is there a curfew in Paris?

No, but in accordance with advice from the police, the FO has advised British visitors to keep travel around the city to a minimum.

Are trains to France running?

Eurostar services have been running to Paris from London St Pancras but there were reports last weekend that many seats were empty.

Passengers who had booked to travel to Paris over the weekend but decided against it were offered a free exchange. Normal booking conditions, however, now apply.

Eurotunnel services for cars and lorries from Folkestone to Calais have also been running to schedule.


The victims

129 people were killed in the brutal attacks
89 perished during a hostage situation in the Bataclan during an Eagles of Death Metal concert
352 were injured
99 were critically injured

The attacks

There were seven attacks by at least seven terrorists, it is thought
All seven of the terrorists were wearing suicide vests
The first attacks happened at 9.20pm, four miles apart
The third attack happened at the Right Bank area of central Paris, where 15 people were gunned down and killed while they were eating and drinking in restaurants and bars.
At the Casa Nostra pizzeria on Rue de la Fontaine au roi, at least five people were shot and killed.
At least 19 people were killed at an attack in La Belle Equipe bar in Rue de Charonne after the bar was sprayed with bullets at around 9:35pm
The sixth attack was at the Bataclan at around 9:50pm. The siege lasted two hours and forty minutes.
Two of the terrorists blew up their explosive belts as police arrived on the scene at around 12:30am
There was a third blast near the Stade de France - and although it terrified spectators, no one is thought to have been killed during the seventh and final attack

Are flights affected?

Gatwick North Terminal was evacuated on Saturday morning "as a precautionary measure" but reopened later that day. Flights are arriving and departing as normal and the airport has said it expects business as usual. Trains are running to Gatwick Airport as normal and shuttles and coaches between terminals are in operation. Heathrow Airport is also operating normally.

Easyjet is offering any passengers who do not want to travel to or from Paris a change of date or destination free of charge until Friday. It advises passengers to make amendments on easyjet.com/managebookings or to phone the customer service team on 0330 365 5000.

Other airlines, including British Airways, Air France and Ryanair, allowed those passengers due to travel over the weekend to opportunity to change their travel dates, or destination, free of charge, but normal booking conditions now apply.

Sporting fixtures and concerts - including a performance by U2 - were cancelled over the weekend. Cinemas closed on Saturday, but reopened on Sunday.

"On Saturday evening, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the streets of Paris so empty, it felt a bit like a ghost town, but by yesterday afternoon, people were back out again."

She suggests that tourists "should carry their passport with them at all times (as one is meant to do anyway) and be prepared for security checks and bag searches, so leave plenty of time to get into places."

Can I cancel my trip or return early?

You can, but you will have to pay any extra costs you incur. Travel companies are not obliged to offer free cancellation or repatriation unless the FCO advises against travel - though some are doing so for a limited period.

While some hotels may allow you to postpone your booking, you are normally liable to honour any hotel bookings unless there is a free cancellation clause.

Will my travel insurance cover any losses if I don't travel?

Not usually. Travel insurance normally excludes costs associated with terrorist action.

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