France tests security preparations before Euro 2016

France is testing its reaction to hypothetical attacks on the venues that will host the matches of Euro 2016 football tournament from June 10, with imaginary scenes of shootings with Kalashnikov rifles, drones throwing bombs or chemical attacks on the areas designated for fans.

The exercises performed by law enforcement and other bodies, such as firefighters, are a response to terrorist threats to the host country especially after the terrorist attacks on November 13 that left 130 dead and hundreds wounded in and around Paris, reports Efe.

The Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis (north of the capital), where a friendly match was played between France and Germany, was one of the targets of the terrorists that night.

The tests began a month ago "with the utmost discretion" in the ten host cities, which may be targets of similar attacks.

They outlined very precise scenarios, like simulating a bombing in Nice with a drone loaded with a chemical bomb that flies over the Allianz Riviera stadium; an attack with toxic gases in Saint-Etienne; or open fire from assault rifles on the train stations in Bordeaux and Marseilles.

France's interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve reiterated on Thursday that the security forces are on high alert and prepared for any possible terrorist attacks, foreign or domestic.