France on high alert after fatal shootings at Christmas market

Saturday, 12 Dec, 2018 0

France has raised its security threat to the highest level after a fatal shooting close to a Christmas market in the centre of Strasbourg last night.

Hundreds of police are still searching for the gunman who killed three people and injured 12 others in the terror attack.

Some reports say a Thai tourist was among the victims.

An investigation was immediately launched and the city centre was put on lockdown with armed police patrolling the streets.

It is believed the gunman, who is known to security services, was injured in an exchange of gunfire with a soldier.

The security level allows police to strengthen border controls and tighten security at Christmas markets and other events.

The French interior minister, Christophe Castaner, said it was a ‘serious public security incident’.

Many of the injured are reported to be in a serious condition.

Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.