US issues travel alert for Americans in Europe

(october 7, 2010)

As Intelligence sources say al-Qaeda plans to carry out attacks in the UK, France and Germany, the US government has warned its citizens in an official travel advisory to be vigilant travelling in Europe, amid fears of an al-Qaeda commando-style attack.

The state department advised Americans to take care while in tourist areas, commercial and public establishments (hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreation events).

The department did not specify a country, issuing the updated guidance for the whole of Europe. They said cities in the UK, France and Germany were thought to be targets for the militants, in attacks analysts feared could be similar to the 2008 atrocities in Mumbai. Security sources have warned of an al-Qaeda plan to send teams of gunmen to crowded places to kill civilians.