French security services carry out Euro 2016 counter-terror exercise

French security services carried out a counter-terror drill in Lyon, ahead of the Euro 2016 football tournament, where thousands of fans are expected to travel. The exercise involved counter-terrorist units recapping last minute drills, with images from the event showing ‘injured’ actors laying strewn across the ground, with police and medical teams moving in to attend them. The news comes after fans were warned that tournament venues are likely to be potential terror targets, amid the heightened threat posed by ISIL terrorists. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its advice to travellers, specifically highlighting that stadiums, fan zones, other venues broadcasting the tournament and transport hubs and links would be key locations targeted for atrocities. The training session aims to put minds at rest as up to 500,000 fans from the UK alone are preparing to travel to France for the kick-off of the games, due to take place on Friday 10 June. Michel Delpuech, spokesman for French police, said: "The goal (of this exercise) is for police forces on the one hand, and for rescue services on the other hand - like firemen - to train and practice very professional gestures and sequences. "The goal is not to do something spectacular or to demonstrate something, it is really to lap teams to very professional gestures, and sequences. "Are we prepared? Well, I think this is exactly what we are showing tonight in Lyon, as well as in other big French cities. "Yes, we are prepared, and as we have been preparing ourselves, as we are being vigilant, and as we are and remain lucid, we are serene, and as we are serene, the celebration will go on without any incident."