The travel alert that the State Department issued earlier this summer has been extended through November 30, according to its website. The travel alert was originally scheduled to expire today, September 1.
In addition to previous incidents in France, Russia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, the recent events in Spain and Finland proved to be too much for the government to rescind the warning, noting ISIS, Da’esh, al-Qa’ida, "and their affiliates have the ability to plan and execute terrorist attacks in Europe."
In Barcelona, at least 13 people were been killed and 80 injured after a van drove through a crowd of pedestrians in the popular tourist area of Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Shortly after, on that same day, a second terrorist attack took place in the coastal resort town of Cambrils. One woman died and six other people were injured when gunfire broke out near the town’s beachfront. The Tourist Office of Spain, located in New York City, said in official statement: "We would like to convey a message of tranquility to those people who are preparing to spend a few days in Spain or who are thinking of visiting and we confirm, as of today, the situation has returned to normal with regard to tourist activities."
However, it should be noted, that the planned attacks in Spain could have been much larger as more than 120 gas canisters and other bomb-making materials exploded prematurely, destroying a house in the beach town of Alcanar.
The same week, a knife-wielding assailant killed two people and injured six others in Turku, Finland.
The State Department advises that if you are planning on traveling to Europe to check the website of a U.S. embassy or consulate in the destination for any recent security messages.
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