Talking Points: Sweden (April 7, 2017)

Talking Points – Sweden

Copyright © 2017 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.

The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients who have

questions about travel to Sweden. (April 7, 2017)

1. On April 7, an attack in Stockholm left at least three people dead and eight injured.

While the incident is being treated as an act of terror, there are currently no Travel

Warnings or Travel Alerts in place.

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel

plans.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further

illustrate each talking point.

1. On April 7, an attack in Stockholm left at least three people dead and eight injured.

While the incident is being treated as an act of terror, there are currently no Travel

Warnings or Travel Alerts in place.

 On April 7, 2017, a stolen truck smashed into Ahlens department store in central

Stockholm on Drottninggatan, one of the Swedish capital’s major pedestrian streets. At

least three people were killed and eight injured.

o “A truck drove into a crowd on a shopping street and crashed into a department

store in central Stockholm on Friday, killing three people and wounding eight,”

according to Reuters.

 “Swedish security police Säpo say that a ‘large number of people are

injured,’ and that they are now assisting the police in an investigation.

‘Intensive intelligence work is being conducted in order to identify the

person or persons behind the attack,’ they add.

 “Brewery Spendrups said the truck was taken while the driver was making

a delivery,” reported Sky News.

o “Part of central Stockholm was cordoned off and the area was evacuated,

including the main train station. All subway traffic was halted on orders from the

police,” Reuters reported.

o “Many police and emergency services personnel were at the scene,” according to

a Reuters witness.

 Nobody has been arrested in connection with the attack police said. There was no

immediate claim of responsibility.

 Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has indicated that the evidence indicates that this

is likely an act of terrorism.

o “Sweden has been attacked. Everything points to the fact that this is a terrorist

attack,” Prime Minister Stefan Lofven told reporters during a visit in western

Sweden. He was immediately returning to the capital.

 The Swedish Security Service, which maintains the nation’s public alert system on

terrorism, is investigating the attack.

o The Swedish Security Service and the Swedish Police are working closely

together in the investigation that now has started. At the moment, authorities are

conducting intense intelligence work in order to find the person or persons behind

the attack.

 The United States Department of State has no Travel Warnings or Travel Alerts in place

for Sweden.

o However, the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm issued an emergency message for

U.S. citizens on April 7, 2017, stating:

 The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is aware of reports of a security incident

at Drottninggatan and Mäster Samuelsgatan near Sergels Torg in

Stockholm City Center. U.S. citizens should avoid this area at this time,

heed guidance from local authorities, and maintain security awareness.

 Please monitor media and local information sources and factor updated

information into personal travel plans and activities.

 We strongly encourage U.S. citizens in Sweden to directly contact

concerned family members in the United States to advise them of your

safety.

o On the State Department’s Country Information for Sweden, it notes the nation’s

low crime rate, but adds, “Sweden has been subject to terrorist incidents in the

past, and the potential for a terrorist incident remains. Like other countries in the

Schengen area, Sweden’s open borders with its Western European neighbors

could permit terrorist groups to enter and exit the country with anonymity.

European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks;

however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from

transnational terrorist organizations.”

 The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) notes that while “Over

857,000 British nationals visited Sweden in 2016” and “most visits are trouble free,” it

advises that “There is a general threat from terrorism”:

o There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate,

including in places visited by foreigners.

o There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against

UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the

conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.

 The Government of Canada has no nationwide advisory in effect for Sweden, advising,

“Exercise normal security precautions.” It does note the overall threat of terrorism in

Europe:

o There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time

and could target areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers, such as

tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets,

hotels, schools, places of worship and airports and other transportation hubs.

Exercise caution if attending sporting events, religious holiday celebrations and

other public festivities. Remain vigilant at all times, monitor local media and

follow the advice of local authorities.

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

 We highly recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and

register their international travel plans at https://step.state.gov/step. By entering

information into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Department of

State can better assist travelers in an emergency.

 We also strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or

internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel

has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers

and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or

travel emergency occurs.

 While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly

encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to

maximize their safety and security. For example:

o Leave your itinerary, and passport data page, with a friend or family member

back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they

could become dangerous.

o Remain alert to their surroundings at all times.

o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and

a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a

demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as

possible.

o Ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the

locations they plan to visit.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other

valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not

accept packages from strangers.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is

capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

o Check your medical insurance coverage to make sure it applies overseas. If it

doesn’t, consider buying travel insurance that covers overseas medical attention

and medical evacuation.

 The U.S. State Department also offers a helpful Traveler’s Checklist that provides

additional travel tips.

 Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained through the Consular

Information Program documents, by downloading the free Smart Traveler iPhone App,

following the State Department on Twitter or the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on

Facebook. Citizens can also call 888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada

or 202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to

8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays).

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel

plans.

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website, as well as other governmental

sources, for travel alerts as well as the more severe travel warnings for all destinations,

including those that are most popular with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may

be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to

travel.

 Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is

currently located; we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being

and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.