Securely Travel Brief - 20 June 2018

SUMMARY:

1. United States - Severe flooding in the midwest
2. Belgium - World Cup viewing areas are being targeted
3. Papua New Guinea - violence
4. United Kingdom - Tube station explosion not terror attack

Securely Travel Brief – 20 June 2018

Today’s brief is culled from global travel warnings and alerts.

United States - Severe flooding in the midwest

Flash flooding is reported throughout the midwest. In Wisconsin a dramatic rescue was caught on video of good samaritans breaking into a sinking vehicle to rescue an elderly gentleman.

Photos: Flooding brings death, destruction to Upper Midwest → https://t.co/IdTU8ppHww pic.twitter.com/zZSjR3KIBB

— heraldandreview (@heraldandreview) June 20, 2018

Heavy rains have swelled waterways in the Midwest, prompting flooding that has washed away roads. pic.twitter.com/G0KRrRm1Z8

— Channel 3 News (@wcax) June 19, 2018

Belgium World Cup viewing areas are being targeted

The US Department of State issued an alert advising US Citizens to the threat posed by the large, and very public, viewing areas for the World Cup 2018 matches. The State Department advises these areas make for prime terror targets and all travelers should be repaired:

• Police presence in and around public viewing areas, cafes and bars, transportation networks, hotels, vehicle checkpoints, and major tourist sites.
• Large crowds in and around public viewing areas.
• Traffic street closures in and around public viewing areas.

Security Alert: #Belgium has created viewing areas for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Although security may be extensive around the viewing areas, terrorists may seek to attack. Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings. https://t.co/m2RPrSucSH pic.twitter.com/1Xu7QWtwok

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) June 18, 2018

Papua New Guinea - Violence

Papua New Guinea continues to suffer inter-tribal violence and the UK FCO has issued a travel advice, advising not to travel to the region.

#PapuaNewGuinea The FCO now advise against all but essential travel to Hela and Southern Highlands provinces, following significantly increased levels of tribal fighting and the declaration of states of emergency by the PNG government. More info: https://t.co/u76IFFNqJd pic.twitter.com/gCTGe5105W

— FCO travel advice (@FCOtravel) June 19, 2018

UK Explosion at tube station not terror

The UK Metropolitan Police reported an explosion at a London tube station. Alarms were sounded and terror response protocols were initiated. Shortly thereafter, an all clear was announced as the cause of the explosion was determined to be a faulty battery. The battery did explode and injured a number of travelers who were nearby.

Five injured after ‘battery short circuit causes explosion’ at London Tube station https://t.co/SRKadh1Yn1 pic.twitter.com/uzCevqUKkF

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) June 20, 2018