According to open source reporting, German intelligence services are concerned ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) might launch a major terrorist attack in Germany during the European Football Championship (EURO 2024). EURO 2024 is taking place in stadiums throughout Germany and the games will continue until July 14. Thomas Haldenwang, head of the department responsible for intelligence and counterintelligence in Germany, warned a possible scenario is a large-scale, coordinated attack similar to the attack against Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow on March 22, which killed more than 130 people and injured hundreds.
- The Islamic State has already called for attacks on the tournament, although German authorities are not aware of any specific threats to the games. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser promised vigilance, stating “our focus of course is above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism, hooligans, and their offenses, everyday crime, violent criminals, but this time also on cyber attacks.”
- Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country, and up to 12 million in its fan zones. More than 22,000 police officers will be working each day, and German security agencies are also working with international partners to identify and disrupt potential threats.
Keep In Mind Before You Go
With EURO 2024 matches continuing for another month, how can you stay safe if you attend the games or fan festivities? Concentric’s team of intelligence analysts and security professionals are closely monitoring ongoing developments during EURO 2024, and we encourage you to be mindful of the following if your travels take you to Germany in the next several weeks:
- Protests and Civil Unrest: Concentric recommends avoiding protest activity as peaceful demonstrations can rapidly turn violent. Protests are common throughout the country and demonstrators have rallied in recent months over the ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas, climate issues, and the far-right. Rallies are also common during football matches.
- Terrorism Concerns: Travelers should also be aware of their surroundings at all times due to the increasing risk of terrorism. The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel warning for Germany, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting transportation hubs, shopping areas, local government facilities, hotels, restaurants, places of worship, major sporting and cultural events, and airports.
- Cyber Risks: Concentric recommends travelers use secure servers or secure personal hotspots instead of public Wi-Fi connections. Cybercrimes such as phishing will likely increase during EURO 2024. Travelers should avoid clicking on suspicious links and only download official event-related apps from trusted and familiar sites. Consult your IT department to back up your data and implement encryption, two-factor authentication, and the ability to wipe all your devices remotely.
- Evacuations: Travelers should be prepared for potential evacuation if an emergency situation arises. Concentric recommends security teams ensure individuals stay in areas which have easy access to major land, air, or maritime routes. There might be major bottlenecks in case of emergencies at stadiums and visitors should have evacuation routes in mind.
How Concentric Can Help
Our team of experts is ready to assist you with any of your security needs while visiting Germany, including:
- Intelligence Support: Our team of dedicated analysts can author periodic updates and travel risk assessments to help you plan for, and monitor any developments during your travel for the Games.
- Security Support: Concentric’s team of executive protection agents can protect you, your family, and your business activities during upcoming travel to Germany. We can also provide evacuation assistance if it becomes necessary.
- Cyber Support: Eclipse by Concentric™ can remove unwanted personal identifiable information from tracking websites which can be used to target you, your family, and your staff, including as you plan upcoming business and travel ventures in Germany.
