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France train attack: Europe 'to tighten rail security' | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
European ministers have agreed tighter controls at railway stations, the French interior minister has announced. | |
Bernard Cazeneuve said there would be increased identity and baggage controls at stations and more police patrols on board international trains. | |
France called the emergency meeting in Paris, attended also by security and transport officials, after the foiled attack on a train on 21 August. | |
A heavily-armed man was overpowered on the Amsterdam to Paris train. | |
French prosecutors have filed charges against 25-year-old Ayoub El-Khazzani. | |
But questions have been raised about how someone was able to board the train in Brussels carrying an assault rifle, 270 rounds of ammunition, a handgun, a box-cutter and petrol. | |
Viewpoint: new anti-terror approach needed | Viewpoint: new anti-terror approach needed |
What we know | What we know |
Profile: Ayoub El-Khazzani | Profile: Ayoub El-Khazzani |
Mr Cazeneuve announced a raft of tighter security measures after meeting with ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland as well as the UK. | |
"Visual passenger identity checks will be reinforced as well as random controls. Official inspections of luggage will step up, both at stations and onboard trains, where appropriate," he said. | |
"Mixed patrols, made up of law enforcement personnel from several countries, already exist in many countries. We will further reinforce these teams and deploy them more extensively." | |
He said the ministers also agreed to study the idea of name-based ticketing for international trains. | |
This is significant because it would allow the intelligence services to keep closer track of suspect individuals when they travel, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports. | |
But, he adds, in Europe's Schengen border-free zone, the free movement of people is supposed to be matched by closer co-operation between intelligence services - and on this, Mr Cazeneuve, admits, there is still a way to go. | |
At his news conference, the French interior minister called for "an enhanced and more focused" co-operation between transport bodies, intelligence services and the police. | |
The recommendations from the meeting are expected to be debated first by a European rail security working group on 11 September and then by EU transport ministers meeting on 7-8 October. | |
Mr Khazzani is accused of carrying out a "targeted and premeditated" jihadist attack. | Mr Khazzani is accused of carrying out a "targeted and premeditated" jihadist attack. |
No-one died in the incident, although two passengers who helped to overpower the gunman were injured in the struggle. | No-one died in the incident, although two passengers who helped to overpower the gunman were injured in the struggle. |
Three Americans and one Briton have been awarded the Legion d'honneur by President Francois Hollande for their bravery, with awards for four more on the train likely to follow. | Three Americans and one Briton have been awarded the Legion d'honneur by President Francois Hollande for their bravery, with awards for four more on the train likely to follow. |
Mr Khazzani is said to have denied plotting a terrorist attack, saying he found a bag of weapons the night before and planned to use them to rob passengers. | Mr Khazzani is said to have denied plotting a terrorist attack, saying he found a bag of weapons the night before and planned to use them to rob passengers. |
However, prosecutor Francois Molins said his explanation became less clear during questioning and eventually he stopped talking altogether. | However, prosecutor Francois Molins said his explanation became less clear during questioning and eventually he stopped talking altogether. |