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Roundup: Australians must think "very seriously" about travel to Europe: FM

Xinhua, July 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australians planning on traveling overseas are being urged to think "very seriously" before heading to Europe, as unrest throughout the continent continues to threaten the safety of tourists in the region.

Following the apparent terror attack in Nice last week, a military-led coup in Turkey has yet again prompted Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to warn Australians traveling overseas to be wary of their surroundings, particularly in tourist 'hot spots.'

Two Australians are still in a French hospital following the attack which killed 84 people in Nice on Bastille Day, and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it is now a time of global uncertainty, and that no city - no matter how well protected - was safe from terror.

"(The attack) does remind us that no city, no country is immune from terrorist attacks," Bishop told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Monday.

"The Australian government is focused on ensuring that we can do everything we can in our power to keep Australians safe at home and while abroad."

Later, Bishop told the Nine Network that recent attacks, not only in France but at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and the deadly coup staged in Turkey over the weekend, should prompt many Australians to think "very seriously" about heading to Europe

"These are very challenging times. People need to think very seriously about traveling overseas," Bishop said.

The Foreign Minister said while the attack in Nice appears to be one coordinated by Islamic State (IS), she would wait until local authorities have carried out their investigation before considering changing the travel warning for France.

"We urge Australians to exercise a high degree of caution if they are traveling in France, to take out travel insurance and to listen to the advice of local authorities," Bishop said.

"It took a while for IS to claim responsibility and there were no evident connections between the terror organizations and the truck driver. It's still early days and we await the report from the prosecutor."

Bishop also took the opportunity to warn Australians about traveling to Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey, following the political unrest which erupted into an attempted military coup over the weekend.

Meanwhile David Beirman, adviser to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), said although the government will always give tourists the "worst case analysis", he echoed government sentiments for travelers to take caution in Europe, particularly in crowded tourist hot spots.

"The government's No. 1 priority is the safety of its (citizens overseas)," Beirman told the ABC on Monday. Endit