Latest news with #UKForeignandCommonwealthOffice
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Wales Online
Foreign Office advice to tourists after earthquakes in Greece and Turkey
Foreign Office advice to tourists after earthquakes in Greece and Turkey One person is reported to have died as tourists say hotels were swaying in the early hours The region is well-known for earthquakes A teenage girl is reported to have been killed and at least 69 people injured after two earthquakes hit Greece and Turkey in the early hours of this morning. Holidaymakers reported hotels swaying as an earthquake hit just off the Greek island of Rhodes at 12.30am, and a Turkish governor says a 14-year-old girl died and 69 people were injured jumping from buildings after an earthquake in Marmaris just after 2am. TUI has sent an alert to holidaymakers in the region urging people to stay calm and follow local instructions. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has standing advice around earthquakes for anyone planning on going to Greece or Turkery. It reads: "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. "There is a risk of earthquakes and earth tremors in Greece. You should: Article continues below 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" The advice for Turkey reads: "Many parts of Turkey regularly experience earthquakes and tremors. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and pose a risk to life. A 6.2-magnitude earthquake which occurred in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025, was felt strongly in Istanbul. Be aware of the risk of aftershocks. See Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority's (AFAD) earthquake page for the latest information about seismic activity in Turkey. "Follow advice from local authorities, tour operators and accommodation providers. See the US Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance about what to do before, during and after an earthquake." Article continues below Tourists can activate alerts on their phones:
Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Foreign Office's red list of 25 world's most dangerous countries as Brits warned
The Foreign Office's red list covers more than 21% of the world's landmass - and Brits ignoring its 'do not travel' advice can expect little support in the event of an emergency As recently as 2019, thrill-seeking travellers could take in the stunning sights of Russia 's St Petersburg, and enjoy the breathtaking Persian architecture of Isfahan or gorgeous gardens of Shiraz, both of which can be found in Iran. For adventurers looking for less-trodden paths, the pyramids of Meroe and Mozambique's beaches were exciting destinations, while Beirut and Minsk offered unconventional city breaks. Even Chernobyl was an offbeat weekend getaway for enterprising explorers. But the global landscape for travel has changed dramatically in the last six years. Many of these destinations are now either completely inaccessible, or are strongly advised against visiting, due to ever-escalating dangers. Iran, Sudan Lebanon and Mozambique, as well as the French overseas territories of Mayotte and New Caledonia, are among the latest countries added to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office 's (FCO) travel red list, which now comprises 25 nations covering more than 21% of the world's landmass. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have been especially significant, with Ukraine, Russia and Belarus added to the red list in early 2022, with Israel, Lebanon and Palestine following in late 2023. This reflects a broader trend, as 47 further nations have regions that are partially off-limits, making it difficult to recall a time when so much of the globe was closed to tourism. There are a few positive developments, however. Burundi and Mauritania, once entirely off-limits, now have areas that are deemed safe. And while some areas of Israel and Palestine are now considered safer, the risks remain high. World's most dangerous countries 2025 Based on multiple global risk assessments, the following 25 countries, in alphabetical order, are currently considered the most dangerous in the world: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mayotte, Mozambique, New Caledonia, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen. These countries are consistently ranked as extreme or high risk, with travel strongly discouraged by international authorities including FCO. What happens if Brits ignore FCO advice? Traveling against FCO advice carries significant consequences for British nationals. Most notably, nearly all travel insurance policies become invalid if you visit a country or region against official guidance, leaving visitors without financial protection for medical emergencies, cancellations or evacuations. In the event of an emergency such as arrest, detention or serious injury, British embassies and consulates may be limited in the assistance they can provide. While the FCO does not abandon citizens outright, support may be constrained, especially in countries where diplomatic relations are strained or where the host government is hostile to the UK. Furthermore, visitors may face additional legal risks, including fines or prosecution upon return to the UK if they breach specific regulations, such as quarantine rules. The FCO stresses that while their advice is not legally binding in most cases, departing from it means accepting increased personal responsibility and risk. FCO warns: "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office."
