France issues travel advisory following Mumbai terror attacks

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) The French government today issued a travel advisory to its nationals living in India or in transit to be doubly cautious, avoid crowded places and restrict their movements.

The Advisory issued in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, advises French nationals to avoid hotels, markets, railway stations, cinema halls. until fresh instructions were issued.

''Following the terrorist attacks which struck the city of Mumbai...our compatriots, whether residing or in transit in India, are requested to be doubly cautious. Hotels, public places (markets, railway stations, cinema halls,) should be avoided and movements outside restricted to a strict minimum until fresh instructions are issued,'' the Advisory said.

France currently holds the Presidency of the 27-member European Union (EU).

The French Consulate in Mumbai also opened an Emergency Cell with contact numbers as 00 91 22 66694097, 00 91 22 66694045 and 00 91 22 66694094.

The Ministry of External and European Affairs, Paris, has also opened an Emergency Cell.

Earlier the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union expressed horror and indignation of the Mumbai terrorist acts and condemned these strongly.

''Our thoughts go out first of all to the families and near and dear ones of the victims, to whom we offer our condolences, to the injured, to whom we extend our sympathy, and to the Indian authorities as well as to those of the state of Maharashtra, to whom we express our solidarity in these tragic circumstances,'' a statement issued by the EU said.

The statemnt also condemned with equal firmness the ongoing hostage-taking in a hotel of Mumbai.

It said the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union is aware of the Indian people's attachment to democracy, which these terrorist acts target.

''The Presidency mourns with India and remains at its side during this terrible ordeal,'' it added.

UNI RB PK VC1802