As you all by now have heard, Munich was attacked this week. Somewhat unluckily, I have, as you know, some experience in this situation from the Paris attacks. There are no words to lament the loss of life in tragedies like this, so I won't attempt and blunder. What I would like, though, is to give you some tips on what you can do to stay safe if you find yourself in a situation like that of Paris or Munich.
.
Get to Safety
You and the friends or family you are with need to be in a safe space. If you are lucky enough to be at home away from the danger, or in an office/ restaurant/ other safe space, then stay inside. Unless it's an emergency, try not to wander.
Both during the Paris and Munich attacks, I was lucky enough to be at home and safe. Unlucky, during both attacks, I had friends who were out in the city. In Paris, my friends were ushered back into their apartment by people hiding in a restaurant in Châtelet - Les Halles; in Munich, a friend was taken back into his workplace near the Olympia Einkaufzentrum. Everyone I knew came out unharmed, which I am eternally thankful for. The importance of staying in a safe space is unequalled.
.
Stay informed
If it's safe for you to do so, stay informed. This might mean reading the news on your computer, switching on the news on the TV, or if you aren't lucky enough to be at home, keep up with the events via Twitter or an online news programme on your phone. Only do this if it is safe. If you are in the midst of the danger, do not risk using your phone unless you know this is safe.
.
Keep calm
Do not panic. It can be terrifying to learn that there is an attack occurring in your area, especially if you know that friends or family might be affected. But panic will not help you. Remaining calm is key, particularly if you need to contact friends and family to check on them: calling or texting in frantic and panicked tones will panic them too. It's also important not to go wild on social media. Sometimes, as in the case of the Munich attacks, the authorities will ask citizens not to post about events in their area on social media so that the perpetrators are caught unaware, making it easier for them to be apprehended. If you need to inform friends and family of your situation, do your best to use an instant messenger or private message. It's also important to consider how appropriate any social media posts are in this situation.
.
You never think that it will happen to you. Even after being in Paris during the November Attacks, I didn't think I would experience that again. If you're going to live abroad, try to familiarise yourself with the emergency services and the location of your embassy when you arrive. This may sound extreme, but in today's cultural climate, it's much better to be safe than sorry.
