Foreign Office issues new advice for UK travellers to France amid ongoing riots
London: UK travellers to France have been warned to be aware of the ongoing riots after a 17-year-old was fatally shot by police.
The Foreign Office has issued new travel advice which warns of potential disruption and urges people to be aware of the ongoing situation.
President Emmanuel Macron has not declared a state of emergency in the country but riots have spread across the country after a teenager named as Nahel M was shot dead by police during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday.
The updated advice which follows four consecutive nights of rioting states “there may be disruptions to travel and local transport provision may be reduced”.
“Some local authorities may impose curfews. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable,” it adds.
“You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities.”
A rally by groups opposed to the Iranian government due to take place on Saturday has been banned by French authorities due to concerns about security risks.
The Foreign Office says connected events are reported to still be going ahead and they are urging British nationals to “reconsider any plans to attend such meetings”.
If people do attend, they should “be aware of [their] surroundings at all time, and move away quickly from disturbances”.
The advice for travellers also states it is “more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover”.
Around 17 million British nationals visit France each year, according to the Foreign Office.