Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued terror warnings for France and Turkey after the two popular European tourist destinations were hit by deadly attacks.
The government agency is urging Australian travellers to ‘take extra care’ in the Ile de France area and Paris where at least 12 people were killed and several others injured overnight.
DFAT maintained its ‘exercise normal safety precautions’ level, but advised travellers to listen to the security advice of French authorities.
“The French domestic terror threat level has been raised to the highest level ‘Alerte – Attentat’ in response to this incident. Authorities have introduced heightened security measures in public places, including shopping areas, tourist sites and transportation hubs. You should remain vigilant in public places and report any suspicious activities to police. See the Safety and security section for more information.”
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The 12 people were killed at the offices of well-known satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, which has made headlines over the years for its controversial work critiquing government officials and religious leaders.
Among the dead are four of the publication’s best-known cartoonists, including its editor Stéphane Charbonnier, known as “Charb”, who along with the magazine has received death threats since 2011 for publishing cartoons of iconic figures like Islam’s Prophet Mohammed.
Just before midday, three masked men attacked the magazine’s headquarters where several shots were fired from automatic weapons, France 24 reported.
Minutes later the shooters left the building and into an awaiting black car. Police on the scene attempted to stop their escape – one was killed.
Authorities are now searching for the gunmen.
So far there has been no claim of responsibility but France’s President Francois Hollande said it was “undoubtedly a terrorist attack”.
The world mourns the lives lost in the #CharlieHebdo attack: http://t.co/7q61HxYyyH pic.twitter.com/V8I1bVIhLz
— SpeedReads (@SpeedReads) January 7, 2015
This morning, DFAT also upgraded its advice to Turkey after a suicide bomber attacked a police station in a popular tourist district in Istanbul.
The female suicide bomber walked into a police station in the Sultanahmet district and told police she had lost her wallet before blowing herself up.
CCTV appears to show the female suicide bomber who killed herself and a Turkish policeman in Istanbul. #9News pic.twitter.com/sKHbXdL7tQ
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) January 7, 2015
The female along with one Turkish policeman were killed in the explosion. Another police officer was lightly wounded.
The overall level for Turkey remains at ‘exercise a high degree of caution’, however, the group is advising Australians in the area to be extra careful.
“Australians in this area should exercise vigilance and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Meanwhile, advice for Indonesia and India were adjusted yesterday morning, to include warnings of potential terrorist attacks.
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