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Update: Cruise cancellations in Fiji this week – another Cyclone alert

Just a week after after Cyclone Josie wreaked havoc on Fiji, killing six people and causing widespread flooding and unrelenting rains, the Pacific nation is bracing for another, expected to hit on Tuesday, 10 April.

The Cyclone Alert is in force for the whole of the Fiji group. Schools are closed and evacuation centres have been set up. Travellers are advised to check DFAT’s Smartraveller advice for updates.

Blue Lagoon Cruises has cancelled its 4 night cruise due to depart Port Denarau today, Monday 9 April. South Sea Cruises, operators of transfers/resort connections, and day trips, to and from the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups, have advised the following service cancellations.

South Sea Cruises

Monday 9 April 2018
ALL Day Trips to the Mamanuca and Yasawa regions are CANCELLED.
ALL Resort Connections to the Mamanuca and Yasawa regions are CANCELLED.

Tuesday 10 April 2018
ALL Day Trips to the Mamanuca and Yasawa regions are CANCELLED.
ALL Resort Connections to the Mamanuca and Yasawa region are CANCELLED.

Check here for further updates.

09/04/2018
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Updated DFAT advice for travellers in Cambodia today

DFAT has updated its Smartraveller advice for travellers currently in Cambodia.

On 16 November 2017, Cambodia’s Supreme Court is expected to finalise a case to dissolve the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Expect a heightened security presence in Phnom Penh around this time, starting from 15 November. Access to popular tourist sites, including the Royal Palace and riverside, may be impacted so adjust your travel plans accordingly. Monitor the media, follow the instructions of local authorities and avoid protests and demonstrations. The level of our advice has not changed. Exercise normal safety precautions in Cambodia.

16/11/2017
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DFAT Hurricane Irma update for USA – follow live blog over the weekend

Hurricane Irma has already devastated Saint Maarten in the Caribbean, and flattened 90% of the island including the world-famous Juliana International Airport. The islands of Barbuda and Anguilla have also suffered severe damage, with the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Bahamas forecast to be hit on Thursday [local time].

With the Category 5 Hurricane predicted to reach Florida and the south-eastern US states on Friday 8 September [local time] DFAT has updated its Smartraveller advice for travellers to the US.

“US authorities warn that Hurricane Irma could also impact Florida and the south-eastern United States from around 8 September. A State of Emergency has been declared in Florida to prepare emergency services. Expect high winds, heavy rain and storm surges. Monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. Disruptions to essential services may occur. Contact your airline or tour operator to check if tourist services have been affected.”

Stay up to date with Irma’s progress over the weekend with The Guardian’s live blog

Irma Dominican Republic via The Guardian
Children in a low-income neighbourhood of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, carry containers for water as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean Photograph: Ricardo Rojas/Reuters via The Guardian

08/09/2017
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Airport travellers advised to allow time for extra screening following Sydney ‘terror raids’

Following a series of ‘terror raids’ in four Sydney suburbs on Saturday, airline travellers have been warned to expect increased wait times as additional security measures and passenger screening have already taken effect across major Australian airports at both domestic and international terminals.

Prime Minister Turnbull has confirmed that the raids have “disrupted” what appeared to be an “elaborate” conspiracy to ‘blow up an aircraft’.

“Some of the measures will be obvious to the public, some will not be — those travelling should go about their business with confidence,” Mr Turnbull said.

“Travellers should arrive at terminals at least two hours before flights to allow ample time for screening. They should limit the amount of carry-on and checked baggage, as this will help to ensure that security screening is efficient.”

“We do believe it is Islamic-inspired terrorism. Exactly what is behind this is something that we will need to investigate fully,” AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin said.

Virgin Airlines and Tigerair released a joint statement saying:

As the measures place an additional burden on the screening system, it may take a little longer than usual to get through the process.

A Qantas Group spokesperson — representing Qantas and Jetstar — said:

Australia has very strong safeguards in place at its airports; these changes are about making them even stronger.

31/07/2017
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Tourists killed by attacker at hotel in Egyptian beach resort town

Two female German tourists were killed and four other female tourists were wounded on Friday [local time] when a 29-year-old man launched deliberate knife attacks on the foreigners at two neighbouring hotels in the popular Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

Armed with a ‘big knife’, Abdel-Rahman Shaaban is alleged to have gained access into the Zahabia Hotel in Hurghada by swimming from a nearby beach. He is said to have conversed in German with the female tourists before stabbing them multiple times and fleeing over a wall dividing the Zahabia Hotel from the Sunny Days El Palacio resort, where he stabbed another four female tourists.

Shaaban is reported to have shouted “Stay back — I am not after Egyptians!”, in Arabic, before he was caught and arrested.

The wounded tourists are believed to be two Czechs and two Armenians.

The attack in Hurghada came just hours after five policemen were shot dead in the al-Badrasheen area of Giza province, 30km south of Cairo, when three men on a motorbike, reportedly carrying automatic rifles, opened fire on a car carrying the five men before lobbing petrol bombs into the vehicle.

IMAGE: a section of Hurghada Beach/Egyptian Tourism Authority

17/07/2017
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Jet blast on St Maarten kills NZ tourist

A 57-year-old female tourist, believed to be from New Zealand, has been killed after being hit by a jet blast on the Caribbean island of St Maarten, famous for the low-flying planes that appear to almost skim the sand as they approach Juliana International Airport.

Despite signs warning of the danger, and constant police patrols, it’s a tourist ritual for some thrillseekers who flock to the beach and road, and hang onto the dividing fence to take selfies, with aircraft looming so low the images appear to show people touching the planes.

On Wednesday at around 6pm [local time] police say the woman was among a group of people who were holding onto the airport fence during the take off of a large jet aircraft. During the take off the woman ‘…was blown away by the jet blast…’. She later died from her injuries.

IMAGE: File image – Maho beach in St. Maarten is known for its views of airliners on approach to Princess Juliana airport. (STEINGRÄBER/ULLSTEIN BILD VIA GETTY IMAGES)/nydailynews.com

via NY Daily News

14/07/2017
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Latest DFAT update for travellers to the UK

UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced the upgrading of the country’s terror threat level to ‘critical’, in the wake of the Manchester attack, as police work to confirm intelligence that suggests the person who perpetrated the attack may be part of a wider group of individuals. Manchester police yesterday arrested three more men in connection with the attack.

The Prime Minister has ordered the initial deployment of 1,000 military personnel to cities in Britain, who will assist police forces to maintain a greater security presence at key locations as part of ‘Operation Temperer’. Yesterday soldiers were deployed to Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Downing Street in London.

DFAT has issued the following update for travellers to the UK:

Latest advice, 24 May 2017

Exercise a High Degree of Caution

Following a terrorist attack in Manchester on 22 May 2017, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, the UK Government has increased the UK’s domestic threat level to ‘Critical’ (the highest of the UK’s five domestic threat levels). UK Prime Minister May has also announced that armed soldiers will be deployed in UK cities to assist police with security. Continue to avoid the area surrounding the Manchester Arena and anticipate significant transport delays in the Manchester area. Expect an increased police and security presence across the UK. Be vigilant about your personal security, monitor the media and follow local authorities’ instructions (Safety and security). In light of the UK’s increase to its threat level, we now advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the United Kingdom.

24/05/2017
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DFAT travel advisories

Egypt: Reconsider your need to travel

Anzac Day 2017 on the Western Front

This bulletin should be read in conjunction with the travel advisories for France and Belgium. 

DFAT advises Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in France and Belgium due to the high threat of terrorist attack.

Since 2015, over 200 people have been killed and hundreds injured in attacks in France. ISIL has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks. There have been a number of recent attacks in France. A terrorist attack in Nice during Bastille Day celebrations on 14 July 2016 killed at least 84 people and injured more than 100. On 18 March 2017, a man was shot at Orly Airport, Paris’ second airport, after attempting to take a firearm from a security patrol. Future attacks are likely.

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin in late May 2017. If you are travelling during this period to a country with significant Muslim communities, take the time to learn about Ramadan and ensure you respect religious and cultural sensitivities, rules and customs.

Terrorist threat worldwide

This bulletin should be read in conjunction with individual country advisories, which provide details on any specific and credible terrorism threats at destinations. Travel advice explained also outlines ways to manage risk for our country levels.

In March 2017, a number of countries tightened aviation security arrangements in response to concerns about a heightened threat of attack against the aviation sector. Check the country advisory for the country or countries you intend to visit for information on whether these measures apply to your destination.

12/04/2017
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DFAT travel advisories

Somalia: Do not travel

Turkey: High degree of caution

Anzac Day 2017 in Gallipoli

There is information that suggests terrorists may seek to target Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Turkish authorities are aware of this information and traditionally provide a high level of protective security around Anzac Day commemorations on the peninsula.

Read more

07/04/2017
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