Latest Data Shows Number of Fatal Terrorist Attacks in Europe on the Rise

According to the latest data released by the Global Terrorism Database, the number of terrorist attacks resulting in fatalities in Western Europe increase in 2016, despite an overall decline in the number of incidents that occurred.

The latest data indicates that there were thirty such attacks, that resulted in fatalities, that occurred in Western Europe in 2016, compared to 23 that occurred in 2015. In 2014, there were two attacks across the region that resulted in fatalities, down from five that were reported in 2013. Additionally, terrorist attacks have become more deadly, with 26.5 people on average being killed in 2015 and 2016. This figure is up from an average of four a year in the preceding three years.

The deadliest incident recorded in Western Europe was the series of coordinated attacks on Paris, France in November 2015, which resulted in the deaths of 130 people. That attack was claimed by the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. Experts have disclosed that IS, which was responsible for seven of the ten deadliest attacks since 2012, was increasingly encouraging the use of knives and vehicles over firearms and explosives by their followers.