Brits planning to experience the festive atmosphere in some of Europe’s enchanting Christmas markets have been issued a stark warning by the Foreign Office to “stay aware” in light of safety concerns. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has highlighted a “high threat” to UK nationals visiting Belgium and Germany due to the potential risk of terrorist attacks.
The FCDO stated: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.” It urged travellers to “stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
In its online advisory, the government agency cautioned: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Germany. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Belgium.”
According to the FCDO, such attacks could be “indiscriminate”, targeting areas frequented by tourists, including restaurants, markets, shopping centres, places of worship and religious sites, including synagogues, sporting and cultural events, crowded places, public gatherings, public transport, national and international transport hubs, government buildings, and international institutions. The advice from them is clear: “You should be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities.”
This caution follows high profile terrorist incidents that have occurred in these regions. In October 2023, two Swedish nationals were fatally shot in Brussels. The previous year, a police officer was killed and another injured in a suspected terrorist incident in the same city.
Meanwhile, Germany has also seen its share of violence. This year, three people lost their lives and several others were injured in a knife attack in Solingen. In 2021, five individuals were stabbed and wounded on a train in Neumarkt, Bavaria.
To minimise your risk of experiencing a terrorist attack, the FCDO says you should:
- Be careful on social media. Avoid sharing information about yourself and your travel and social plans
- Identify places where you could seek refuge in an emergency
- Follow news and media reporting about the country and region
- Consider whether you might stand out from the crowd, particularly when travelling off the beaten track or to out-of-town destinations
- Be vigilant around significant religious occasions and public holidays
- Be aware of your surroundings, and be especially vigilant in public areas, including hotels, restaurants, bars and crowded places like markets, malls or sports events
- Tell family, friends, colleagues, or trusted hotel staff where you’re going and when you plan to return
- Look out for anything suspicious, and if you see anything report it to the local police immediately.
- Try to avoid routines that could make you an easier target. Vary the time and route of your regular journeys
- Keep your mobile phone charged and with you, with emergency numbers programmed in
Some of the most frequented Christmas markets across Europe are found in cities such as Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Nuremberg, Cologne and Munich.