Image credit: Furyk Nazar / Shutterstock.com
A three-day period of mourning is under way in France after a series of terrorist attacks in the country’s capital killed 129 people and injured hundreds.
The attacks took place on Friday night in locations across the city, including outside the Stade de France football stadium in Saint Denis, in the Bataclan concert hall and restaurants and bars in the 10th and 11th arrondissements of the city.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed that one Briton, Nick Alexander, died at the Bataclan where he was working on a merchandise stand during a performance by US rock group Eagles of Death Metal.
The FCO added that a “handful” of unidentified victims could also be British.
In total 352 people were injured, 99 of which are in a critical condition.
Following the massacre, France’s government declared a state of emergency and the FCO advised British nationals to “exercise caution in public places”.
It added: “French authorities have heightened security measures due to a risk of further attacks. The advice of the Paris Police is currently to keep movement around town to a minimum. Systematic border control checks have been implemented at all entry points into France.”
Attractions and monuments, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, closed over the weekend, as did Disneyland Paris, which will remain closed until Wednesday.
Airlines, Eurostar and Disneyland Paris were all offering flexibility for customers booked to travel over the weekend.
Flybe said it would continue to accommodate customers following the attacks and on Sunday issued a further statement that it was extending its flexibility for a further two days for those who wished to change their travel plans.
The statement said: “Any customer who is booked to travel to Paris on Monday or Tuesday and who doesn’t wish to now do so may rebook a later date to any alternative destination or obtain a credit note for future travel.”
BMI Regional is also offering customers flying between Bristol and Paris the option to reschedule or cancel future flights to the French capital.
Tom Wolber, president of Euro Disney, said: “We mourn those lost to the horrific attacks in Paris. We pray for the injured and we hold them all in our hearts. As part of France’s three-day national mourning period, Disneyland Paris will remain closed through Tuesday 17 November (included).”
On Twitter, Eurostar tweeted that customers should check in 60 minutes before departure. Security was increased across all departure points.
Global Business Travel Association: President, Christle Johnson, said: “On behalf of the Global Business Travel Association, let me express our deepest sympathies to the French people and to those directly affected by the attacks. We stand with the people of France today.
“French president François Hollande, understandably, has closed the borders of France, declared a state of emergency, and called for three days of mourning.
“As a result a number of travellers are stranded in France. As a strong and unified business travel industry, we will do everything we can to provide resources to these travellers in this time of need.”
Responding to the tragedy, a number of other travel companies issued statements and advice:
P&O Ferries: “We would like to reassure all our customers that we maintain a safe, reliable and secure service to/from France. Due to adverse weather conditions some services are subject to delay of up to 20 minutes. Please check in as normal.”
DFDS Seaways: “Please allow extra time for your journey and expect increased security checks, Dover-Dunkirk-Dover services are operating to the advertised schedule with space currently available. Dover-Calais-Dover services are operating with around 60 minutes delays due to weather conditions in the channel.”
Brittany Ferries: “Brittany Ferries is shocked by the events in Paris on 13 November. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved in the attacks, their families and their friends.
“At present our ships continue to operate as normal. There may be some additional security checks but at present check-in times remain unchanged.”
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle: “Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with those affected by the tragic events in Paris.
“Our service is operating as planned, however due to reinforced border checks customers travelling should allow extra time.”
EasyJet: “EasyJet’s thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims of the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris.
“The safety and security of its passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority. Any passengers who do not want to travel to and from Paris this weekend can request a free flight change to an alternative destination.
“Our schedule will operate as normal, however we would advise that all passengers due to fly with us check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker page at www.easyjet.com/en/flight-tracker for real-time information before going to the airport and to allow extra time for security checks due to the reinforced security measures in place.
“EasyJet will continue to comply with all recommendations and guidance from the French authorities.”
British Airways: “We continue to monitor the situation in Paris after attacks in the city on Friday.
“The French government has asked for extra security checks at all airports in the country, and this may lead to delays to flights from France. The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority.”
Kirker Holidays: “No-one has asked to come home early, and no future bookings have been cancelled.
“We spoke on Saturday to those due to travel in the next 10 days, and all felt – as we do – that it is too early to decide.”