Spain maintains terrorism risk level, but ups security throughout the country
Sunday, November 15, 2015 @ 5:46 PM
SPAIN has decided not to increase its terrorism risk alert level from its current 4 to the maximum of 5 as a result of the multiple and simultaneous terrorist attacks in Paris, but will reinforce security 'in certain areas'.
Interior minister Jorge Fernández Díaz would not reveal where or when, for safety reasons.
Flags on town halls and government offices will remain at half-mast until noon tomorrow (Monday) when all public institutions will hold a minute's silence in homage to the victims of the massacre in the French capital.
In the meantime, the famous Ibero-American Film Festival in the southern city of Huelva, which opened last night, completely changed its schedule of acts in light of the shootings and bombings in Paris.
The opening gala evening was stripped of all its festive elements, comedy acts and dances, and decorations were replaced with a huge French flag as a backdrop.
Festival boss Pedro Castillo gave a speech about how the gala 'party' was now a manifestation of 'revulsion' over the attacks, 'sensitivity and support' for the victims, and 'defence of peace, freedom and tolerance'.
The death toll, which has risen to 129 including Spaniard Juan Alberto González Garrido, now includes two Mexican women, a Portuguese national and two Belgians.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com