25 July 2008
Floods in Slovakia
Since 23 July, flooding in north eastern Slovakia has left at least two people dead and forced the evacuation of hundreds more. Several houses, roads and bridges have been damaged, with the worst hit area around the village of Circ. Authorities have warned that more heavy rains are expected; travellers are advised to monitor developments and avoid affected areas.
Right-wing newspaper firebombed in Athens
Homemade firebombs were thrown at the offices of a right-wing newspaper, Stochos, in Greece's capital, Athens, yesterday. No injuries were reported. The perpetrators are believed to be anarchists. Similar incidents by small leftist or anarchist groups are fairly regular occurrences in Greek cities, especially Athens. Travellers are advised to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the authorities.
Suicide bomber strikes in Yemen
A suicide car bomber struck in the east Yemen town of Sayun, Hadramawt governorate earlier today. At least one policeman was killed and 20 other people were wounded in the attack that targeted a police headquarters in the town. Due to the increased threat from terrorism, travellers are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Yemen's Hadramawt governorate.
Renewed violence in Tripoli, Lebanon
Clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters renewed this morning in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli, following three grenade explosions in the city overnight. The Tripoli-Akkar highway has been closed due to sniper fire. Fighting is ongoing and travellers are advised to defer travel to Tripoli at this time and to avoid all non-essential travel to Lebanon.
Security tight in Colombo, Sri Lanka, ahead of SAARC Summit – Travel advisory
Authorities in Sri Lanka have tightened security for the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit to be held between 27 July and 4 August in the capital, Colombo. The summit will host the heads of state from several countries in the region. Security is tight and movement within the city will be restricted in some areas. There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka, and the Tamil Tigers rebel group have regularly carried out attacks in Colombo. As such, we currently advise against all non-essential travel to Sri Lanka.
Earthquake aftershocks strike south west China
At least two people were killed and 40 others injured during earthquake aftershocks that hit south western China, yesterday. The three aftershocks reportedly hit the juncture of Ningqiang County in Shaanxi Province and Qingchuan County in Sichuan Province. Thousands of aftershocks have hit the south west following the 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Sichuan Province on 12 May. For more on the threat from earthquakes, please click here.
Violent clashes in Thailand
Pro- and anti-government supporters clashed in Thailand’s north eastern province of Udon Thani yesterday, leaving at least 40 people injured. A group allied to the anti-government group the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), were reportedly attacked by supporters of a pro-government group Kon Rak Udorn, while preparing for a rally Udon Thani city. The PAD has led a number of anti-government demonstrations in recent months and further gatherings are likely. Travellers should avoid all political gatherings, due to the potential for civil unrest.
Tropical storm 09W heads for Taiwan – Travel advisory
Tropical Storm 09W is forecast to hit Taiwan as a Category one typhoon on the morning of 28 July. The storm will bring heavy winds and rain, and flooding is possible. This information is subject to change; for the latest information travellers are advised to visit the Tropical Storm Risk website. For advice on how to minimise the risk from tropical storms, please click here.
Bomb blast in Kashmir, India
A suspected militant attack left at least five civilians dead yesterday in Srinigar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred near a busy bus station in the Batmaloo area. Due to the ongoing insecurity in the region, travellers are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Kashmir (with the exception of visits to the Ladakh region and its capital, Leh).
Niger expels French NGO
On 18 July the French NGO, Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF), was ordered by the Niger government to suspend all their activities in the south central Maradi region, media reports indicated yesterday. The government suspects MSF of having links with a Tuareg militant group, the Niger Movement for Justice. red24 rates Niger as a high risk destination and travel to the country should be undertaken with caution.
Ongoing clashes in Bakassi peninsula, Cameroon
Gunmen attacked a military camp in the Bakassi peninsula, south western Cameroon yesterday, killing two soldiers. During the attack, ten of the gunmen (believed to be rebels from Nigeria) were also killed. Yesterday's attack follows a similar incident on 19 July when a Nigerian militant group, Niger Delta Defence and Security Council (NDDSC), attacked a Cameroonian security patrol. Tension in the Bakassi peninsula, a disputed territory between Nigeria and Cameroon, is currently high and as a result travel in the region should be undertaken with extreme caution.