"We have no specific elements of concern - terrorist or otherwise - concerning the Christmas market in Strasbourg", Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told the Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace newspaper. "My family has done the Christmas market since 1906. The historic Christmas market, which is being held in the city for the 450th year, is of key economic importance for Strasbourg and other cities and towns of northeastern France. "The Christmas market is something magical for the young, the grown-ups and the elderly," said Christiane, a pensioner visiting the market on Friday. France has been targeted in a wave of attacks claimed by, or blamed on Islamist radicals since 2015.

Source: The Local November 22, 2019 15:22 UTC