Alfano denies threat to Italian beaches

ROME -- Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano strongly denied Tuesday a German press report that Isis is planning attacks on beaches in Italy and other southern European countries.

 Alfano reiterated an earlier denial by Italian security services of the report in the sensationalist tabloid Bild newspaper. "I have nothing to add to the denial already made," Alfano said, "I don't want alarmism to damage our tourism while adding nothing to our security."

 "We are working hard on the prevention plan through intercepts, personal checks, controls of ships and vehicles, expulsion of radicalised people. No country is at zero risk but up to now the prevention has worked," said Alfano.

 Bild claimed attacks would supposedly impact beaches in Spain, Italy and the south of France in particular. According to security experts quoted by the tabloid, the bombers could dress as beach sellers and then blow themselves up on European beaches, though this is just speculation and does not report on the information that has allegedly arrived from Africa.

 Bild also writes that "terrorists would be prepared to use arms and explosives against parasols and beach loungers." The head of police in Senegal has warned, "They are targeting Italian, French and Spanish beaches."

 A spokesperson for German security was quoted saying "It's possible that in this way, ISIS are coming up with a new dimension of terror through this route. Beaches can't be protected."

 Attacking beaches is not a new concept after that at Sousse in Tunisia last year, as well as the Ivory Coast attack carried out by Al Quaeda. Belgium has also now raised the terrorism alert in the capital of Brussels to 3 out of 4 after reported recent intelligence that suggests the arrival of more terrorists heading towards the country.

 jp-ch