On June 21 at 5:00 PM, two gas lines exploded in the Val-de-Grâce area in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, France. A fire is reported to have collapsed part of an affected building onto the street bellow, and has spread to nearby buildings. Seven people have been injured, with four in critical condition.
From June 12 -22, NATO member countries will engage in the Air Defender 2023 exercise. Air Defender will be held in three “clusters”, encompassing portions of German, French, Dutch, Danish, Polish, Czech, and Swiss airspace. Civilian flights through affected areas will be rerouted and experience severe delays. Exercises are expected to impact thousands of passenger flights over the coming weeks.
On the afternoon of June 7, Police in Colombo, Sri Lanka forcibly dispersed a group of student and faculty protestors outside the University of Sri Jayewardenepura at Wijerama Junction. Students had gathered to demand the release of other student activists arrested in earlier protests. Localized travel and security disruptions can be expected in the coming hours, with the possibility that demonstrations may reform.
On June 2, emergency crews responded to a fire in Via D’Onofrio, Colli Aniene, Rome, Italy. The fire was the result of a number of explosions at the construction site, though the root cause is unknown. One person has reportedly died as a result of the fire with at least ten others being sent to the hospital. The fire has reportedly been put out, though the area has yet to be declared safe.
RIVERSIDE, CA & NEW HAVEN, CT—The University of California, Riverside and SafeAbroad announce a new partnership to enhance student safety abroad with innovative safety solutions.
On May 25 and 26, two shootings occurred in Japan, a country well known for its low levels of gun violence. Anticipate ongoing travel disruptions and security measures throughout the country as the investigations continue in Nakano and Tokyo.
At least one person has been critically injured during a shooting at the JR Machida Train Station in Tokyo, Japan on May 26. Security operations are still ongoing in the area as the gunman is still at large. Expect heightened security and travel disruptions in the coming hours.
Officials warn that the Popocatepetl Volcano, just 40 miles south of Mexico City, is at an elevated risk of eruption as of May 24. Flights around the volcano have been delayed and grounded because of the low visibility caused by ashfall. Published evacuation routes are being circulated in the surrounding area.
Climate activists occupied the University of Amsterdam’s Roeterseiland Complex late May 16. Student groups demonstrated throughout the building before announcing plans to occupy the grounds overnight and into May 17. Participants demand that the University end commitments to fossil fuel and divest funding for programs that encourage CO2 emissions.
Anticipate severe travel disruptions throughout Denmark on May 15 due to a nationwide truck drivers’ strike. Participants are expected to blockade the major highways and roads leading in and out of Copenhagen, an action authorities have already declared as illegal. Clashes between protesters and police are likely.