Latest news with #Segou
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Is it safe to travel to Rhodes and Turkey? Earthquake expert shares advice for holidaymakers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOURISTS in popular holiday destinations in Greece and Turkey were shaken by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake this morning. The quake struck just after 2am local time off the Turkish coast, with the epicentre 29km north of the island of Rhodes. 3 A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck this morning Around 70 people were injured in Southwest Turkey and a 14-year-old girl is known to have died due to a panic attack in the resort town of Fethiye. 2025 has seen the Greek islands experience significant seismic activity - with multiple earthquakes rattling Santorini back in February causing tourists to flee and a 6.1 magnitude tremor hitting Crete on May 14. Turkey also shook in April when powerful tremors hit Istanbul. With the summer season in full swing, is it safe to travel to the region? Dr Margarita Segou - a seismologist with the British Geological Survey and editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International - is an earthquake expert and Greek national. She said: "Greece and Turkey are two very high seismic-prone countries." The countries' locations on a fault line known as the Hellenic Trench mean that they have seen large magnitude earthquakes, such as the 2023 Turkey disaster which left 53,000 people dead. However, speaking of the more recent tremors, she said: "Those magnitudes are well within the standard for moderate earthquakes in this region." Dr Segou explains that as today's quake occurred at a depth of more than 70km, it would be classed as a "deep earthquake", which is not necessarily more dangerous. "Since the earthquake is deep, we have less damage than usual, although it means that it is felt in a wider area. Huge 5.8 earthquake strikes Greece & Turkey leaving 1 dead & dozens injured as 'panicked locals jumped off buildings' "Also the probability of a large earthquake immediately after is only heightened for a few days." The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)'s travel advice for Greece states: "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." It does not advise against travel to the area and references February's earthquakes in Santorini - something Dr Segou admitted had been "an alarming phenomenon". However, she does not believe that the today's quake warrants cause for concern for anyone planning to travel to Greece or Turkey. 3 Guests at a hotel in Rhodes began gathering outside following the earthquake Credit: Stefan Harradine "I would not say that we are now facing a situation of increased activity within 2025." Dr Segou revealed the steps holidaymakers should take if they do find themselves experiencing the natural phenomenon. "Tourists and populations should always follow the guidance from the authorities regarding any emerging situations. "If you feel an earthquake, it is better to be outside of the building a few minutes after. But during the strong shaking, one should always take cover beneath a very strong, well-built table, for example." She added that buildings in the region are well-prepared for these natural events and reasonably safe even if a moderate earthquake hits. "Greece has a very strict seismic code and it is always abided by in construction. "The earthquake resistance plan for buildings is something that has proven correct and protective to people many times in previous disasters." The Foreign Office provides further tips for visitors to both countries, including calling 112 for Greek emergency services and checking Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority's earthquake website. Travel company TUI issued the following statement to those holidaying in the affected area: "Please remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials." EasyJet also confirmed that its customers had experienced minimal impact to their holidays. If you are considering cancelling your trip to Greece or Turkey, bear in mind that as the FCDO has not formally advised against travel there is no guarantee that you will be refunded. Flights to and from both Rhodes and Dalaman airports are operating as usual with no disruption having been caused by the earthquake. 3 The popular resort town of Fethiye was hit by the tremors Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Is it safe to travel to Rhodes and Turkey? Earthquake expert shares advice for holidaymakers
TOURISTS in popular holiday destinations in Greece and Turkey were shaken by a 5.8 magnitude earthquake this morning. Advertisement 3 A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck this morning Around 70 people were injured in Southwest Turkey and a 14-year-old girl is known to have died due to a panic attack in the resort town of Fethiye. 2025 has seen the Greek islands experience significant seismic activity - with multiple Turkey also shook in April when powerful With the summer season in full swing, is it safe to travel to the region? Advertisement Read more on Travel advice Dr Margarita Segou - a seismologist with the British Geological Survey and editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International - is an earthquake expert and Greek national. She said: "Greece and Turkey are two very high seismic-prone countries." The countries' locations on a fault line known as the Hellenic Trench mean that they have seen large magnitude earthquakes, such as the 2023 Turkey disaster which left 53,000 people dead. However, speaking of the more recent tremors, she said: "Those magnitudes are well within the standard for moderate earthquakes in this region." Advertisement Most read in News Travel Dr Segou explains that as today's quake occurred at a depth of more than 70km, it would be classed as a "deep earthquake", which is not necessarily more dangerous. "Since the earthquake is deep, we have less damage than usual, although it means that it is felt in a wider area. Huge 5.8 earthquake strikes Greece & Turkey leaving 1 dead & dozens injured as 'panicked locals jumped off buildings' "Also the probability of a large earthquake immediately after is only heightened for a few days." Advertisement It does not advise against travel to the area and references February's earthquakes in Santorini - something Dr Segou admitted had been "an alarming phenomenon". However, she does not believe that the today's quake warrants cause for concern for anyone planning to travel to Greece or Turkey. 3 Guests at a hotel in Rhodes began gathering outside following the earthquake Credit: Stefan Harradine "I would not say that we are now facing a situation of increased activity within 2025." Advertisement Dr Segou revealed the steps holidaymakers should take if they do find themselves experiencing the natural phenomenon. "Tourists and populations should always follow the guidance from the authorities regarding any emerging situations. "If you feel an earthquake, it is better to be outside of the building a few minutes after. But during the strong shaking, one should always take cover beneath a very strong, well-built table, for example." She added that buildings in the region are well-prepared for these natural events and reasonably safe even if a moderate earthquake hits. Advertisement "Greece has a very strict seismic code and it is always abided by in construction. "The earthquake resistance plan for buildings is something that has proven correct and protective to people many times in previous disasters." Travel company TUI issued the following statement to those holidaying in the affected area: "Please remain calm and follow any safety instructions provided by your accommodation or local officials." Advertisement EasyJet also confirmed that its customers had experienced minimal impact to their holidays. If you are considering cancelling your trip to Greece or Turkey, bear in mind that as the FCDO has not formally advised against travel there is no guarantee that you will be refunded. Flights to and from both Rhodes and Dalaman airports are operating as usual with no disruption having been caused by the earthquake. 3 The popular resort town of Fethiye was hit by the tremors Credit: Getty Advertisement
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mali's efforts to stem political protests to face test
By Portia Crowe DAKAR (Reuters) - An attempt by Mali's military government to stamp out public dissent by banning all political activity will be put to the test on Friday as critics wary of security and economic woes call for protests. Authorities on Wednesday announced that all work by political parties and other political organisations had been suspended until further notice to preserve public order. The move came ahead of planned protests in the capital, Bamako, and the city of Segou against the government, which came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021. Government critics, including activists and opposition politicians, appeared keen to build momentum after unprecedented public gatherings on May 3 and 4 in Bamako. Those were triggered by recommendations from a national council of political actors to hand military leader Assimi Goita a five-year mandate and dissolve all political parties. Several hundred participants carried placards displaying messages calling for multi-party elections and chanted slogans such as: "Down with dictatorship, long live democracy." While organisers of Friday's protest postponed the event until further notice, calls for civil disobedience nonetheless circled on social media. A spokesperson for Mali's Ministry of Security and Civil Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The likelihood of a mass popular uprising remains low for now, especially in a country like Mali where multiple political opponents and government critics have disappeared from public view, including one on Thursday, according to his party - but analysts said the coming days will be a critical test. If protesters come out in larger numbers than last weekend, and are perhaps tear-gassed or arrested, it could result in an even stronger backlash, said Benedict Manzin, an analyst with strategic risk consultancy Sibylline. If a similar number of demonstrators, or fewer, take to the streets "because people have been intimidated into silence, then this will probably just go away", he said. WORSENING SECURITY While the council's recommendations on dissolving political parties and granting Goita a five-year mandate were an important trigger, the protests last weekend highlighted anger over a broad range of issues in a country where military leaders - who took power promising to stem the threat posed by jihadist groups - have instead overseen a worsening security situation. "There are many factors," said a Malian security analyst in Bamako who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. They include insecurity as well as social issues like power cuts, the high cost of living and job losses. "The longer it goes on, the more unsustainable it becomes," he said. Much of northern Mali remains out of government control, and jihadist groups are expanding their reach and carrying out more frequent attacks around Bamako. Last September, Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed an attack in the capital that hit an elite police training academy and the airport. With insecurity as rampant as ever, military governments not just in Mali but in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger - all former French colonies - have leaned on anti-colonial rhetoric to justify their rule. "But that gets old," said Manzin. "Livelihoods are being destroyed, the population are under threat of attack - eventually, what you need is just stability and economic well-being." Rather than a public uprising, a stronger threat to the current leaders would likely come from within the government itself, said Byron Cabrol, senior Africa analyst at Dragonfly. "A wave of protests would not be enough to kind of incentivise someone [within the military government] to take action," he said, "but it's undoubtedly a contributing factor, among many others."
Reuters
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Mali's efforts to stem political protests to face test
DAKAR, May 9 (Reuters) - An attempt by Mali's military government to stamp out public dissent by banning all political activity will be put to the test on Friday as critics wary of security and economic woes call for protests. Authorities on Wednesday announced that all work by political parties and other political organisations had been suspended until further notice to preserve public order. The move came ahead of planned protests in the capital, Bamako, and the city of Segou against the government, which came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021. Government critics, including activists and opposition politicians, appeared keen to build momentum after unprecedented public gatherings on May 3 and 4 in Bamako. Those were triggered by recommendations from a national council of political actors to hand military leader Assimi Goita a five-year mandate and dissolve all political parties. Several hundred participants carried placards displaying messages calling for multi-party elections and chanted slogans such as: "Down with dictatorship, long live democracy." While organisers of Friday's protest postponed the event until further notice, calls for civil disobedience nonetheless circled on social media. A spokesperson for Mali's Ministry of Security and Civil Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The likelihood of a mass popular uprising remains low for now, especially in a country like Mali where multiple political opponents and government critics have disappeared from public view, including one on Thursday, according to his party - but analysts said the coming days will be a critical test. If protesters come out in larger numbers than last weekend, and are perhaps tear-gassed or arrested, it could result in an even stronger backlash, said Benedict Manzin, an analyst with strategic risk consultancy Sibylline. If a similar number of demonstrators, or fewer, take to the streets "because people have been intimidated into silence, then this will probably just go away", he said. While the council's recommendations on dissolving political parties and granting Goita a five-year mandate were an important trigger, the protests last weekend highlighted anger over a broad range of issues in a country where military leaders - who took power promising to stem the threat posed by jihadist groups - have instead overseen a worsening security situation. "There are many factors," said a Malian security analyst in Bamako who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. They include insecurity as well as social issues like power cuts, the high cost of living and job losses. "The longer it goes on, the more unsustainable it becomes," he said. Much of northern Mali remains out of government control, and jihadist groups are expanding their reach and carrying out more frequent attacks around Bamako. Last September, Al Qaeda affiliate Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed an attack in the capital that hit an elite police training academy and the airport. With insecurity as rampant as ever, military governments not just in Mali but in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger - all former French colonies - have leaned on anti-colonial rhetoric to justify their rule. "But that gets old," said Manzin. "Livelihoods are being destroyed, the population are under threat of attack - eventually, what you need is just stability and economic well-being." Rather than a public uprising, a stronger threat to the current leaders would likely come from within the government itself, said Byron Cabrol, senior Africa analyst at Dragonfly. "A wave of protests would not be enough to kind of incentivise someone [within the military government] to take action," he said, "but it's undoubtedly a contributing factor, among many others."
