French Riviera Authorities Ban Burkinis Citing Safety Concerns

Authorities of Cannes, a city on the French Riviera, have prohibited so-called burkini swimming suits for women citing security concerns, just a day after a similar ban was introduced in the port city of Marseille, local media reported Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – On Thursday, Marseille authorities canceled a women’s burkini event in the city after organizers received threats.

Cannes Mayor David Lisnard said that burkinis "ostentatiously manifest the religious affiliation" of the person wearing them at a time when France has been targeted by religious extremists, Le Soir newspaper reported.

Women wearing burkinis "are likely to create risks of disturbance to the public order," which must be prevented, Lisnard said in a decree.

The ban comes after a deadly terror attack shook the nearby city of Nice on July 14. A truck controlled by a radicalized Tunisian national rammed into a large crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing at least 85 people.