Wednesday, 27 July 2016

Holidaymakers banned from taking bags on to Cannes beach over fears of Nice-style copycat terror attack on sunbathers


The beach in Cannes is popular with the rich and A-List celebrities
Holidaymakers and A-List stars in Cannes have been banned from taking bags down to the beach with them - for fears of a Nice-style copycat terror attack on sunbathers.
It's feared ISIS terrorists may try to smuggle 'materials, weapons or explosives' on to the sand to carry out a mass atrocity - like that committed on Bastille Day when 84 people were killed.
Cannes is a popular playground of the rich and famous - its annual festivals regularly attracting top celebrities like Bono, George Clooney and Cara Delevingne.
The ban covers promenades, boulevards and walkways around the marina where many of the luxury multi-million pound boats Hollywood stars stay in when in town are moored.
Mirror Online discovered that the local Mayor's office is now taking the extraordinary step of banning 'bags, suitcases and large luggage' - in a direct response to the terrorist threat.
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It's feared beach bags could be used to hide weapons and explosives
Details of the ban have been circulated to authorities in the resort on an internal memo.
It's feared those who break the rules 'could face arrest' by police - and tourists are being urged to carry 'see-thru' bags with them instead.
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The rich especially love walking the promenades of Cannes for the sea views
France is currently on a knife-edge with some 234 people having died in terror attacks in the last 18 months – more than in the previous 100 years put together.
Earlier this month Mohamed Bouhlel, 31, drove in a lorry through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in Nice - killing 84 people - in an attack linked to ISIS.
Then just yesterday - a day after the memo was circulated - a French priest had his throat slit by two ISIS terrorists at a French church.
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Cannes would be a high-value target for ISIS terrorists given the type of people it attracts
French journalist Matthias Galante leaked the information about the ban on his Twitter feed today, posting that: "Cannes bans bags, suitcases and large cases on the beach that could conceal weapons or explosives."
He revealed "from this morning" the ban extends not just to the beach but walkways on marinas and ports where luxury boats and other ships are moored.
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A warship moored off the coast of Cannes is an ominous sight for sunbathers
A spokesman at the local tourism office confirmed details of the ban - which are yet to be publicly announced - as being in direct response to the terror threat.
He told NEPTUNEGIST Online that the measures had been issued by the Mayor's office at the Cannes Citadel - the equivalent of the Town Hall - "to protect tourists on the beaches".



Thomas Bazire said: "It's to forbid transport of big bags or luggage which could hide dangerous materials, weapons or explosives."
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Cannes attracts the cream of Hollywood to its annual film festival
He said the areas covered by the memo include the main boulevards, old ports, seaside and the "entrance to Cannes".
He added: "The police will inform everyone and will be vigilant.
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French police are nervous about a possible ISIS attack in the Cannes resort
"They will (speak to) those who don't respect this... well put it this way, if you obey you don't risk anything."

Mr Bazire said the best advice to tourists who were confused about the edict would be to "go to a policeman to see what they call big bags".
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Tourists are being advised to carry 'see-thru' bags to avoid problems
His advice was for holidaymakers to carry with them 'see-thru' bags for "less problems".
The Cannes Mayor's office confirmed the ban was true - but nobody was available for comment.
It's now been claimed the Bastille Day killer - described by ISIS as a "soldier of Islam" - regularly used dating websites to pick up male and female lovers.
French media reports that Mohamed Bouhlel's mobile phone records suggest he used the sites and dabbled with drugs and drink.
The mobile phone handset was recovered from inside the 19-tonne lorry he used to commit his mass slaughter on the Promenade des Anglais.
Seven suspects are currently being held in custody over their links to the terrorist.
Bouhlel is reported to have sent a chilling text message - demanding weapons - minutes before the massacre.
Investigations have focused on the wording: "Bring more weapons, bring five of them to C."
Bouhlel fired a 7.65mm automatic gun at police before they shot him dead.
More than 200 French police are now working on the case.
They have since discovered that he was spotted twice in the two days leading up to the attack driving the lorry - as he scouted out how best to execute the attack and maximise the number of casualities.
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