Latest news with #ForeignandCommonwealthOffice
Metro
7 days ago
- Health
- Metro
British woman found dead on beach on popular Thailand party island
A British woman has been found dead on a beach in Thailand. Her body was found by a jogger on Chao Phao Beach early this morning. Police say the woman's body showed no signs of assault and had washed ashore on Koh Phangan island, which is renowned for its monthly Full Moon Party. Investigations from police on the island found the woman, in her 50s, had been staying at a bungalow near the incident location for around a month. According to local reports, the tourist had been drinking on Monday night and went swimming at the beach near her bungalow. More Trending Doctors have preliminarily concluded that the cause of her death is drowning. Police from Koh Phangan Station said they investigated the discovery of a foreign national's body and the the duty doctor from Koh Phangan Hospital conducted a preliminary examination. Metro has contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Women wakes up inside her own coffin after coroner declared her dead MORE: Why so many young Brits are being 'manipulated' into smuggling drugs MORE: Man who tried to bomb ex's house dies after explosive bounced back and hit him
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Three things you should do immediately if someone goes missing abroad
Jetting of to a country you've never visited before is an exciting adventure but it can bring risk. Here's what to do case one of your loved ones go missing, according to the experts at the charity Missing People Ahead of the summer holidays, here are three key things you should do as soon as someone you know goes missing. The charity Missing People have shared a plan of action to follow. With over 13.5 million Brits jetting off last year according to a Kwik Fit study, and 82% of Brits saying their "number one holiday priority in 2025" is to explore somewhere new, according to the Great British Holiday Audit report - it's wise for holiday makers to have a plan of action in case a member of their party goes missing. The UK police define a missing person as anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established. They will be considered missing until located and their wellbeing confirmed. By this, the definition means that if a person is expected at home and aren't there, or did not arrive at an expected location, they can be reported missing. Once they are reported missing to the authorities, a public appeal is released via social media. Following a number of recent tragedies involving Brits on holiday abroad in recent years, it is safe to say there is a now a certain nervousness about travelling, especially as a young person. The Missing People's charity have developed guidance, along with the Lucie Blackman Trust, to help prepare jet setters in case of such emergency. Providing sympathy and support, the advice can be summarised as such: Think of simple steps to try and find your loved one If you know the location of where they were staying, try to call the establishment to ask whether the missing person has been spotted on the premises or if someone there knows where they are. If this is unsuccessful, you should contact the local police or any nearby hospitals to ask whether they may be held there or whether they are aware of the person's location. DEMAND ACTION FOR MISSING PEOPLE Too many missing people are falling through the cracks - harmed while away, and ignored when they return. We need a proper government strategy led by the Home Office, Education, and Health departments to stop this crisis. Right now, there's no real support. People go missing again and again - yet no one's asking why. We're calling for: A new national strategy for missing children and adults Proper support for missing people when they return Investment to stop people going missing in the first place At 10,000 signatures, the government has to respond. At 100,000, it will be debated in Parliament. That's our goal - real action. Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or UK police If they appear to be missing after these steps, the charity advise you to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 020 7008 1500 and ask for the Consular Directorate. The Foreign Office will then assign a caseworker if appropriate and contact the British Embassy in the country of said visit on your behalf. Despite not being in the UK if travelling, you are advised to contact UK police for either the area where the missing person lives, or your own local police station. Request that they inform the UK National Central Bureau of Interpol. If needed, Interpol can contact the relevant foreign police, however this is normally only the case if the missing person is considered to be at risk of harm. Be prepared with information about your missing person To help aid any potential searches, Missing People also advise travellers to collect as much information as you can about the missing person and their recent activity and travel plans. This could be essential to an effective search and result in the local authorities finding them. See below for a list of questions to consider as seen on the Missing People Guidance Sheet: The missing person's full name, date of birth and place of birth His/her mobile phone number and email address The last time you or anyone else that you know had contact with him/her and where this was His/her travel plans His/her passport details His/her travel insurance details Any travel blog/personal website/social network details Bank or building society account details (the police may ask the bank or building society for details of when and where the account was last accessed) A recent photo When you were expecting the missing person to contact you and why Whether there was anything in his/her last email/phone call/text/blog/social network message which could give a clue as to whereabouts and/or who he/she could have been with Whether the families of fellow travellers could provide any useful information Whether there is anyone else the missing person could have been in touch with Any other relevant information which could be of use in the search such as, and including any physical or mental health issues The Lucie Blackman Trust can provide help and support tailored to your situation. It is open 24 hours a day and you can contact them for support and advice by calling 020 7047 5060, emailing ops@ or visiting their website: If you suspect a child may have been abducted abroad then see here (p. 3) for Missing People's advice to further ensure their safety, how to proceed.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Foreign Office warning to Greek holidaymakers after Crete earthquake
This is the second earthquake to rock Crete in the last week. Following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Greece earlier this morning, holidaymakers are being warned to stay alert incase of any further disasters. Tsunami fears were sparked after the huge tremor rocked Crete on Thursday, May 22. Tourists and locals were told to "move away from the coast and reach a higher place" following the alarming quake that has sparked panic amongst many. The epicentre of the quake was just north of Crete. No significant damage has been reported however authorities are fearful of more movement. The tremor was so powerful, effects have been felt as far as Turkey, Egypt and Israel today. The mayor of Agios Nikolaos, Manolis Menegakis, told Mega TV station: "We are vigilant." This is the second tsunami alert in Crete just over a week. Last week, a powerful 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck in Greece, with the epicentre again near the coast of Crete, the most populous of the Greek islands. Schools and public buildings were left with visible cracks, and residents were forced to sleep outdoors amid fears of further shocks. The epicentre was located 56km (34 miles) northeast of Neapolis in the Lassithi region of Crete, with the quake striking at a depth of around 60km (37 miles) beneath the surface. In a warning to tourists, the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Greece 'can experience extreme natural phenomena' and advised tourists to familiarise themselves with safety procedures ahead of their travels. Their alert reads: " Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods." It adds: " The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual." According to Foreign Office advice, you should: familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake follow advice given by the local authorities call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For further guidance on how to prepare for earthquakes, visit the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection (in English) and to see, for anywhere in Greece, where your nearest assembly points are located in case of emergency you can visit (map with text in Greek). To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, register for alerts from the Greek government's Emergency Communication Service (in English): for iPhones go to Settings > Notifications and enable the 'Emergency Alerts' option at the bottom for Android 11 and higher go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts for Samsung devices go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications and enable the 'Emergency Alerts' option
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Wales Online
Foreign Office warning for holidaymakers after earthquake in Greece
Foreign Office warning for holidaymakers after earthquake in Greece The epicentre of the quake was just north of Crete The famous palm forest and beach at Vai, on Eastern Crete, Greece A 6.1 magnitude earthquake shook southern Greek islands early on Thursday. The epicentre was in the sea 36 miles north-northeast of Elounda, which is on the northern coast of Crete. It was 43 miles deep, according to the US Geological Survey. Regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos told state-run television that 'there are no reports of injuries or any serious damage' following initial assessments of the affected areas. The shock was felt extensively across islands throughout the Aegean Sea. Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation director Efthymios Lekkas noted that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage. Greece sits on major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns tourists to stay alert to natural disasters in Greece. Their alert reads: "Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods." Article continues below It adds: "The area around the Cycladic islands of Santorini (Thira), Anafi, Ios and Amorgos, experienced increased earthquake activity in early 2025. This increase has since subsided and the tourist season is expected to continue as usual." Sccording to Foreign Offioce advice, you should: familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake follow advice given by the local authorities call the Greek emergency services on 112 if you are in immediate danger Article continues below For further guidance on how to prepare for earthquakes, visit the Greek Ministry of Civil Protection (in English) and to see, for anywhere in Greece, where your nearest assembly points are located in case of emergency you can visit (map with text in Greek). To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, register for alerts from the Greek government's Emergency Communication Service) (in English):
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
British girl, 18, arrested in Georgia after going missing in Thailand
A teenager who was reported missing while holidaying in Thailand has been arrested over 'drug offences' in Georgia. Bella May Culley, 18, was reportedly last seen in the Pattaya area of Thailand on Saturday her family raised the alarm when they failed to hear from her. Relatives from her home in Billingham, County Durham, flew out to the country to search for her and appealed for any information of her whereabouts. However, Culley – who had been on holiday with a friend – has now been arrested in Georgia, some 4,000 miles away from Thailand, Cleveland Police confirmed. The force said in a brief statement: 'We have… had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' Culley first flew out to the Philippines just after Easter and had been travelling with a friend around the islands. She is believed to have flown to Thailand on around 3 May. Cleveland Police initially posted an appeal to find Culley before the update on her arrest. Yahoo News UK has contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for comment. Click below to see the latest North East headlines
