Following several terrorist attacks on the continent, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe on Tuesday warning Americans of the possibility of a terrorist attack in the summer months.
The grim warning says targets could include restaurants, commercial centers, tourist sites, transportation and major events. It also singled out big events happening in Europe this summer: the European Soccer Championship, the Tour de France and Catholic Church’s World Youth Day in Poland.
“We are alerting U.S. citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe” the State Department wrote in the travel alert that expires on Aug. 31. “The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events”
The alert asks U.S. citizens to “exercise vigilance” in public, avoid crowded locales, “be aware of immediate surroundings” and to be prepared for additional security screenings.
