by Michael Laferriere

South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season – Travel Alert (October 6, 2016)

South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season – Travel Alert

Last Updated: October 6, 2016

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to the South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season, which begins November 1, 2016, and ends April 30, 2017. This Travel Alert expires on April 30, 2017.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that people living or traveling in regions prone to tropical storms and tropical cyclones be prepared.  Minor tropical cyclones can develop into typhoons very quickly, limiting the time available for a safe evacuation. Inform family and friends of your whereabouts and remain in close contact with your tour operator, hotel staff, transportation providers (airlines, cruise lines, etc.), and local officials for evacuation instructions during a weather emergency. For further information about tropical cyclone preparedness, please visit our Tropical Season – Know Before You Go and Natural Disaster webpages, and NOAA’s Tropical Cyclones Preparedness Guide.

While we do our best to assist U.S. citizens in a crisis, local authorities bear primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of people living or traveling in their countries.  For more information, please visit our What the State Department Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis page.

For further information on tropical cyclone warnings in the South Pacific region, consult the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the National Weather Service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the Government of Fiji’s Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, or the Government of Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.

For further information:

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 by Michael Laferriere

Afghanistan – Travel Warning (October 5, 2016)

Afghanistan Travel Warning

Last Updated: March 21, 2017

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan because of continued instability and threats by terrorist organizations against U.S. citizens. This replaces the Travel Warning issued October 5, 2016.

Travel to all areas of Afghanistan remains unsafe due to the ongoing risk of kidnapping, hostage taking, military combat operations, landmines, banditry, armed rivalry between political and tribal groups, militant attacks, direct and indirect fire, suicide bombings, and insurgent attacks, including attacks using vehicle-borne or other improvised explosive devices (IED). Attacks may also target official Afghan and U.S. government convoys and compounds, foreign embassies, military installations, commercial entities, non-governmental organization (NGO) offices, restaurants, hotels, airports, and educational centers.

Extremists associated with various Taliban networks, ISIS, and members of other armed opposition groups are active throughout the country. ISIS has demonstrated its operational capability, having attacked both Afghan and foreign government facilities. These terrorist groups routinely attack Afghan, Coalition, and U.S. targets with little regard for or the express intent to cause civilian casualties. On January 12, 2017, the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorosan (ISIS-K) carried out a suicide bomb attack on a mosque, killing 30 and wounding 70. On February 7, 2017, the Afghan Supreme Court was attacked by an insurgent who detonated a suicide vest, killing more than 20 people.  On March 1, 2017, Taliban insurgents conducted a complex attack on two separate Afghan police stations in the Kabul area, killing seven and wounding 24. On March 8, 2017, ISIS-K conducted a complex attack on the Afghan National Army Hospital in Kabul City killing more than 50 and wounding more than 90.

Two professors, one American and one Australian, from the American University in Afghanistan were reported kidnapped in Kabul in August 2016. One Australian and one Spanish NGO worker were kidnapped in November and December 2016. A U.S citizen journalist working for National Public Radio and his Afghan assistant were killed when they came under attack in Helmand Province in June 2016, and in August 2016, insurgents fired a rocket at a bus carrying EU and U.S. citizen tourists in Herat Province, wounding six people.

Due to security concerns, unofficial travel to Afghanistan by U.S. government employees and their family members is restricted and requires prior approval from the Department of State. Furthermore, U.S. Embassy personnel are restricted from traveling to all locations in Kabul except the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. government facilities unless there is a compelling U.S. government interest in permitting such travel that outweighs the risk.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Afghanistan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For further background information regarding FAA flight advisories and prohibitions for U.S. civil aviation, U.S. citizens should consult Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is severely limited, particularly outside of Kabul. U.S. citizens are encouraged to defer non-essential travel within Afghanistan and note that evacuation options from Afghanistan are extremely limited due to the lack of infrastructure, geographic constraints, and other security concerns.

For further information:

  • See the Department of State’s Consular Affairs’ website where the Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings can be found for the latest security information.
  • Enroll in STEP to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Contact the U.S. Embassy, located at Great Massoud Road (also known as Bibi Mahru or Airport Road) between Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) and the Ministry of Public Health. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy can be reached at 301-490-1042, ext. 8499 from the United States, or +93(0) 70-011-4000 from abroad during business hours, Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Kabul time. For after-hours, truly exigent emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the Embassy Duty Officer at +93-(0)70-011-4000. Any routine consular correspondence relating to services for U.S. citizens may be sent to KabulACS@state.gov.
  • Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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 by Michael Laferriere

Tunisia – Travel Warning (September 29, 2016)

Tunisia Travel Warning

Last Updated: September 29, 2016

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to southeastern Tunisia along the Libyan border as well as the mountainous areas in the country’s west, due to the threat of terrorism. This replaces the Travel Warning issued April 1, 2016.

Terrorist attacks have targeted Tunisian government and security forces and popular tourist sites. A March 7, 2016, attack by ISIL-affiliated militants in the southeastern border town of Ben Guerdan resulted in the deaths of 12 Tunisian security officials and civilians. Two attacks in 2015 targeted tourists: the Bardo Museum in Tunis on March 18 and two beach hotels near Sousse on June 26. ISIL claimed responsibility for these attacks. Groups of militants continue to operate in the mountains of Western Tunisia, including Jebel Chaambi, Sammama, and Selloum. The Tunisian government continues security force operations against Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AAS-T), ISIL, and al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Embassy Tunis regulations require advance notification to Embassy security officials of travel by Embassy personnel outside greater Tunis. Certain cities and governorates in Tunisia have a fluid and unpredictable security environment, and these areas require additional scrutiny before U.S. government personnel may travel to them. U.S. citizens should avoid the following areas due to the unpredictable security environment:

  • Jendouba, Kef, and Kasserine, next to the Algerian border
  • Ben Guerdan and Medenine, next to the Libyan border
  • Gafsa and Sidi Bou Zid in central Tunisia
  • The desert south of Remada is designated as a military zone by the Government of Tunisia. If travelers wish to enter the military zone, special authorization is required.

On occasion, these travel restrictions prevent the provision of consular services in certain areas of the country.

For your safety:

  • Visit the U.S. Embassy website before traveling outside of the capital for more specific guidance and warnings;
  • Exercise caution in all parts of Tunisia when frequenting public venues, especially those heavily frequented by tourists, such as hotels, shopping centers, tourist sites, public beaches, and restaurants;
  • Exercise caution when using public transportation due to safety and security concerns;
  • Avoid political gatherings, rallies, large crowds and demonstrations, as even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can be unpredictable;
  • Be alert to the possibility of kidnapping;
  • Monitor local events and take appropriate steps to bolster personal security;
  • Remain alert to local security developments, report suspicious activity to the local police, and heed directions given by uniformed security officials;
  • Carry a copy of your passport and a cell phone or other means of communication that works in Tunisia.

Government security forces, including the army, police, and National Guard, are visibly present throughout Tunisia.  On September 19, 2016, President Beji Caid Essebsi renewed Tunisia’s state of emergency until October 17.  In place since November 24, 2015, the state of emergency grants security forces more authority to maintain civil order, enabling the government to focus on combating terrorism.  The Minister of Interior has stated that the state of emergency also assists in securing hotels and tourist areas.

Developments in Libya continue to affect the security situation along the border areas, and the Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Libya.  Developments in Libya continue to affect the security situation at the ports of entry at Ras Jedir and Dehiba along with the cities of Ben Guardan and Medenine, and the Libyan border is frequently closed to all traffic with short notice for extended periods. Travelers should avoid all travel to and through the Libyan border and should read the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Libya, as well as the Department of State’s Country Specific Information and other international travel safety and security information for Libya and Algeria. The Embassy regularly reviews the security of these areas for possible modification.

For further information:

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 by Michael Laferriere

ALERT: Poland- High-Speed Passenger Train Hits Truck, Injuring 19 (April 7, 2017)

April 7, 2017

Alert – Poland: High-Speed Passenger Train Hits Truck, Injuring 19

At least 19 passengers aboard one of Poland’s Pendolino intercity fast trains were injured when it hit a truck and derailed in Schodnia. Seven have life-threatening injuries. 300 passengers were aboard.

According to the Associated Press:

A fast train hit a flat-bed truck at an unguarded railway crossing Friday in southwestern Poland, sending 19 people to the hospital, including seven with life-threatening injuries, officials said. A number of other people suffered less severe injuries in the derailment.

The accident occurred around 3 p.m. in the village of Schodnia, when a Pendolino intercity train carrying some 300 passengers hit the vehicle, Pawel Fratczak, the spokesman for national firefighters, told The Associated Press. The train partially derailed but remained upright. The truck driver was not hurt, he said.

Regional police spokeswoman Monika Mrugala said seven of those injured were in life-threatening condition. Some of the injured were airlifted to a hospital, others were taken by ambulances. Passengers that were not injured were taken to a nearby restaurant and then put on buses provided by Poland’s state railway, PKP, to continue their journey.

Mrugala said the truck was transporting another truck on its trailer when it was hit at the crossing, which has no barriers, only warning lights. The truck was badly damaged and its make could not be immediately determined, she said. Police were investigating the cause of the accident, she said.

The railway tracks need repair and traffic there will probably not be restored before Thursday, according to PKP spokesman Cezary Nowak.

Italian-made Pendolino trains operating in Poland have a top speed of 140 kilometers per hour (87 mph).

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

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 by Michael Laferriere

Alert: Florida- Orlando Area Wildfire Prompts Hotel Evacuations (April 7, 2017)

April 7, 2017

Alert – Florida: Orlando Area Wildfire Prompts Hotel Evacuations

A fast moving wildfire covering 50 acres near Orlando’s International Drive and Interstate 4 have resulted in evacuations at the Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort. Although there are no road closures, officials are asking the public to avoid the area. There are no reported injuries.

According to the Orlando Sentinel:

Orange County Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service crews were responding to a wildfire near Daryl Carter Parkway between International Drive and Interstate 4 on Friday afternoon.

OCFR reported on social media that several units were on the scene near apartments and the commercial district. The Orlando office of the Florida Forest Service said the 50-acre fire was fast moving. The service said it had 6 bulldozers and a helicopter fighting the fire.

Orange County Fire Rescue said there are no structures in danger at this point. Two buildings at the Sheraton Vistana Villages Resort were evacuated.

Images from helicopter cameras showed huge plumes of smoke. There are no road closures, although officials are asking the public to avoid the area. No injuries have been reported.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

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 by Michael Laferriere

ALERT: South Carolina- Two Teenagers Fall to Death from Balcony of Myrtle Beach Hotel (April 7, 2017)

April 7, 2017

Two teenage girls fell to their death from the balcony of the Camelot by the Sea Hotel in the resort town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Foul play is not suspected.

According to CBS News:

Authorities say two teenage girls fell to their deaths from the 18th-floor balcony of a beachfront hotel in South Carolina. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge says 16-year-old Daniela Flores fell to a 10th-floor parking deck, while 17-year-old Amber Franco’s body was found on the roof of a ground-level Dunkin’ Donuts. The hotel has 18 floors.

Myrtle Beach Police Lt. Joey Crosby tells news outlets someone called 911 to report seeing the girls fall Wednesday at the Camelot By the Sea Hotel. Crosby says both teens were students at Myrtle Beach High School, which is on spring break this week.

Myrtle Beach High School Principal John Washburn said both girls were in honors classes and were well-liked. Counselors were brought in to the school on Thursday and will continue to be available for students and teachers.

Crosby says authorities do not suspect foul play, but don’t know yet exactly what prompted the falls.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

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 by Michael Laferriere

Alert: Sweden- Central Stockholm Incident Treated as Terrorism (Update 3) April 7, 2017

April 7, 2017

Alert – Sweden: Central Stockholm Incident Treated as Terrorism (Update 3)

On Friday afternoon Sweden time, a stolen truck drove onto central Stockholm’s pedestrian street Drottninggatan and smashed into a window of Ahlens department store. According to national broadcaster Sveriges Radio, at least three people have died and many are injured. The incident is reportedly now being treated as a terrorist act with one person having been arrested. Police have urged people to stay away from central Stockholm.

According to Aftonbladet (Swedish news):

At 14:53 alerted police to the Drottninggatan in central Stockholm. Barely an hour later, state prime minister Stefan Löfven Sweden has become a victim of a terrorist act. Sweden has been attacked. Everything points to terror, says Prime Minister Stefan Löfven.

A Spendrups truck must be driven at Queen Street for a long distance and hit a number of people. According to the Security Police “a large number of wounded.” The truck then drove into Åhlens house at the intersection Master Samuelsgatan and Drottninggatan. The truck began shortly thereafter burn.

According to data Aftonbladet has at least one person arrested. Swedish Radio report that Stefan Löfven confirmed that an arrest. The truck just ran full speed down Queen Street and drove the people, saying Durde who witnessed the incident.

According to BBC:

A lorry has driven into a store in central Stockholm, killing at least three people, Swedish media say. Shots have also reportedly been fired. Swedish police said a number of people were injured, and they are treating it as terrorism.

The incident occurred on Drottninggatan (Queen Street), one of the city’s major pedestrian streets, just before 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT).

Witnesses told local media they saw a lorry driving into the window of the Ahlens department store, and they have seen people on the ground.

“There is total confusion, I do not know how many are injured, many people are totally shocked,” one witness, Leif Arnmar, who was working in the department store, told Swedish national broadcaster SVT.

Shots have also reportedly been fired in another part of the city, says BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, citing security sources. It is not yet known if the two incidents are connected.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

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 by Michael Laferriere

ALERT: New York City- Train Service Remains Disrupted Due to Rail Damage (April 7, 2017)

April 7, 2017

Alert – New York City: Train Service Remains Disrupted Due to Rail Damage

In the wake of Monday’s train derailment at Penn Station, train service remains spotty for Long Island Rail Road; however, Amtrak expects all of its trains to run today. Eight of the 21 tracks at Penn Station have been out of service.

According to ABC News:

Train service into New York City remains disrupted after transit officials say Amtrak didn’t complete work on damaged rails at Penn Station on time.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it has canceled 10 Long Island Rail Road trains into Manhattan for Friday’s morning rush hour and terminated four others at stations in Queens.

MTA says Amtrak crews didn’t finish track repair work by 4 a.m. Friday as promised. The agency also says Amtrak denied access to tracks overnight so LIRR could pre-position its trains.

Amtrak said Thursday it expected to have all 21 tracks at Penn Station operating Friday morning. A message left with Amtrak was immediately returned.

Eight of the 21 tracks have been out of service since Monday morning, when a New Jersey Transit train derailed, causing cancellations and lengthy delays for travelers on Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and the Long Island Rail Road.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

 

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 by Michael Laferriere

ALERT: Canada- American Charged after Mock Explosive Device Found at Toronto Airport (April 7, 2017)

April 7, 2017

ALERT- Canada: American Charged after Mock Explosive Device Found at Toronto Airport

Yesterday, a “mock” explosive device was found at Toronto Pearson International Airport’s preclearance facility – the device tested negative for explosives. A man, who was scheduled to depart on United Airlines flight 547 to Chicago O’Hare, was arrested.

According to ABC News:

A 58-year-old American man was charged with mischief after a “mock Improvised Explosive Device” was found at Toronto Pearson International Airport today, according to police. The mock IED was discovered during screening of the traveler’s suitcase at a Toronto preclearance facility, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement. The agency said it paused all traveler processing while Canadian Air Transport Security Authority officials swabbed the device for explosives. CBP said the device tested negative.

The man was scheduled to depart on United Airlines flight 547 to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, according to CBP, which added that the plane was inspected and both travelers and baggage were screened again. The plane sat on the tarmac as passengers waited on board.

Police in Peel, Ontario, told ABC News that the man who was charged has been held by authorities ahead of a bail hearing scheduled for Friday. An officer declined to provide ABC News further information about the man.

The flight was scheduled to depart at 7:00 a.m. today, but was delayed nearly seven hours before taking off.

Peel Regional Police provide law enforcement for the airport, located in Mississauga, Ontario, just outside Toronto. CBP provides immigration, customs and other inspections at the airport for travelers planning to enter the United States.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

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 by Michael Laferriere

ALERT: United States Launches Military Strike Against Syria (April 6, 2017)

April 6, 2017

Alert – United States Launches Military Strike Against Syria

This evening, the United States has launched an air strike against Syria in retaliation for a deadly gas attack carried out on citizens there.

According to CNN:

The United States launched a military strike Thursday on a Syrian government target in retaliation for their chemical weapons attack on civilians earlier in the week.

On President Donald Trump’s orders, US warships launched between 50-60 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian government airbase where the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks were based, US officials said.

“Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the air field in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched,” Trump said during short remarks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago. “It is in this vital national security of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.”

He added: “There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council. Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically.”

A US defense official said the strike was targeted on runway, aircraft and fuel points. The missiles were launched from warships in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Strikes are over “until another decision is made,” the official said.

The strikes are the first direct military action the US has taken against the leadership of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s six-year civil war and represent a substantial escalation of the US’ military campaign in the region, which could be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war.

Trump was very affected by the images of dead children among the civilian casualties in the Syrian chemical weapons attack and felt compelled to act, a senior administration official said.

The US began launching airstrikes in Syria in September 2014 under President Barack Obama as part of its coalition campaign against ISIS, but has only targeted the terrorist group and not Syrian government forces.

Trump met with his national security team before his dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Mar-a-Lago Thursday, where he made the decision to pull the trigger on the biggest military action of his presidency, an administration official says.

He sat through dinner with the President Xi as action was under way.

Defense Secretary James Mattis has been updating Trump about the missile strikes in Syria following his dinner with Xi, according to a US official.

Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Trump’s national security adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster were with Trump at Mar-a-Lago at the time. Vice President Mike Pence remained in Washington, where he returned to the White House after dinner.

Trump’s order to strike the Syrian government targets came a day after he said the chemical attacks — whose grisly effects were broadcast worldwide where videos captured in the immediate aftermath — “crossed a lot of lines for me” and said he felt a “responsibility” to respon

“I will tell you it’s already happened that my attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much,” Trump said.

“When you kill innocent children — innocent babies — babies — little babies with a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was, that crosses many, many lines. Beyond a red line, many, many lines,” Trump said.

Trump’s decision to launch the strikes, the most significant military action of his young presidency, came nearly four years after the US first concluded that Syrian forces had used chemical weapons in Syria. The Obama administration concluded that Syria had violated the “red line” Obama had set a year earlier in discussing the use of chemical weapons, but ultimately decided against military action against Syria in favor of a Russian-brokered deal to extricate the country’s chemical weapons stockpile.

Trump at the time said the US should “stay the hell out of Syria” and urged Obama on Twitter to “not attack Syria” in the wake of the 2013 chemical attack.

Please contact the PR Team if you have any questions or concerns: TravelLeadersGroupPR@TravelLeaders.com.

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