Aussies urged to rethink travel to Paris

Aussies urged to rethink travel to Paris
By Anne Majumdar


Travellers are being urged to reconsider their need to travel to France as the horror of terror attacks over the weekend continues to unfold.

132 people have now been confirmed dead, with more than 300 injured in three attacks which rocked the French capital on Friday night.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade urged travellers to reconsider their plans to travel to Paris in light of the events.

“French authorities have declared a nationwide state of emergency which will run for at least 12 days following terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November,” it said.

“The state of emergency gives the French authorities additional powers, including restrictions on large public gatherings and controlling access to public areas. French authorities also have announced tighter border controls.”

DFAT advised Australians already in Paris and its surrounding areas to “remain vigilant” and minimise their movement in public places.

Meanwhile, Australia’s ambassador in France has praised the dignity and self-composure of young Hobart woman Emma Parkinson after she was shot in the hip during the attacks.

Stephen Brady said he was impressed by how the 19-year-old is coming to terms with the immensity of Friday night’s tragedy.

“She’s in good spirits and she’ll make a good recovery,” he told AAP on Sunday after Ms Parkinson underwent surgery in a Paris hospital.

She was shot at the Bataclan concert hall late on Friday as four militants armed with AK47s entered and started firing during a performance by the US band Eagles of Death Metal.

The Bataclan raid was the deadliest of a series of attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.

Brady said Ms Parkinson was very fortunate she wasn’t killed or more seriously injured.

“She was shot in the hip, the bullet entered and exited and the surgery yesterday involved cleaning the wound site.”

Parkinson was the only Australian casualty of the terror attacks, he confirmed, adding that embassy staff were relieved there were not more given the number of Australians in the city at any one time.

He reiterated DFAT’s advice that Australians rethink plans to visit Paris, warning that the city was effectively in “lockdown”, with the Eiffel Tower and other cultural attractions closed, and corder controls reimposed.

Airlines are responding to the situation by giving Australians booked to travel to Paris in coming days the option of changing their flights.

Emirates has waived all re-booking, reissue and cancellation charges for passengers travelling to Paris, Lyon or Nice up to November 20. The airline is also offering rebooking options for people who want to fly to other destinations.

Qantas is offering a similar deal. It says passengers travelling between Australia and France up until Tuesday can reroute their flights, switch destinations or receive a credit on their ticket price.

Meanwhile, Australia offered its support to France in the form of vigils held around the country, with a number of landmarks including the Sydney Opera House (pictured) lighting up in the blue, white and red of the French tricolore flag.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the attacks were part of a plan to suppress freedom worldwide and praised France’s resilience.

“The home of freedom has been assaulted by terrorists determined to attack and suppress freedom, not just in France, but throughout the world,” he said.

 

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