Smartraveller warns of potential France terror threat
Australians travelling to France in the coming months, including for the Rugby World Cup, have been warned to exercise a high degree of caution.
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Australians travelling to France during the Rugby World Cup have been warned to expect increased security measures amid a rolling terrorism threat.
The seven-week World Cup kicks off on September 8 and runs through to October 28, with matches hosted across France’s major cities.
Smartraveller updated its advice for the popular European travel destination this week, warning Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” and “expect significant travel delays and enhanced security in Paris and other major cities throughout this period”.
“France’s national security threat alert is at the medium level ‘reinforced security – threat risk’,” Smartraveller states.
“There’s a risk of terrorist attacks in France. Attacks could be indiscriminate. Be cautious around locations known to be targeted.”
France has struggled with terrorism and civil unrest for years.
A wave of ISIS-inspired attacks in 2015-2016 killed hundreds of people, and in 2022, a lone gunman targeted a Kurdish cultural centre in Paris, murdering three people.
In July this year, prolonged riots engulfed the country following the shooting death of Nahel M in Nanterre near Paris.
Twenty teams will compete at the World Cup with four five-team pools.
The Wallabies are in Pool C and will front up against Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.
They will face Georgia first-up on September 9 at the Stade de France, a massive 80,000 capacity stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris.
Stade de France will host the opening ceremony on September 8, with the show expected to highlight the best of French culture.
The knockout quarter-finals stage kicks off on October 14.
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