Americans Warned of Travel Dangers

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Americans during the busiest travel week of the year.

The State Department cautioned Americans about travel to foreign countries. This alert follows terrorist activities this month in France and Belgium.

The Belgians warn of a possible terrorist attack at any time. The country is under high alert.

The State Department warning comes after a month of deadly attacks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In the past year, multiple attacks have occurred in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey and Mali.

This alert was the first in nearly a year.

The State Department said that “current information suggests that (Islamic State), al-Qaida, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions."

It asked U.S. travelers to avoid crowded places. Those places include sporting events, theatres and open-air markets.

U.S. citizens can also expect increased security and screening when leaving or re-entering the United States. Law enforcement is on high alert during this Thanksgiving holiday and shopping weekend.

The Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, normally processes 2 million people a day. However, over this Thanksgiving weekend, the TSA will see a 40-percent increase in travelers.

About 47 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday. The majority of those travelers will be driving.

I’m Kathleen Struck.

Jim Dresbach wrote this story for Learning English. Anne Ball was the editor.

Are you traveling and worried about it? Leave a comment and post on our Facebook page.