The Atucha Nuclear Power plant in Buenos Aires, Argentina was overloaded in the midst of a heat wave, leaving hundreds of thousands without power. Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe, La Rioja, and Tucuman have all reported mass blackouts. Airports have reported cancellations and flight groundings in response.
Six people were killed and dozens injured when a freight and passenger train collided near Tempe, Greece on February 28. Several train cars were derailed and at least three cars caught on fire, burning several passengers inside. Emergency services are on the scene to triage injured passengers and fight the ongoing fire.
On February 24, a flight bound for Eindhoven International Airport from Prague was targeted by a bomb threat. The Dutch military is currently inspecting the aircraft for explosives, and all flights in and out of Eindhoven have been grounded until further notice.
Large crowds are expected to gather on February 23-24 in Vienna, Austria to protest the Akademikerball, a gathering of right-wing German and Austrian nationalists. Previous anti-Akademikerball protests have been peaceful, but drawn crowds of up to 10,000 demonstrators.
On February 17, Mexican authorities elevated the disaster warning level for Popocatepetl Volcano, near Mexico City and Puebla, to Yellow 2. The new level prohibits approaching the volcano and advises residences in the area to prepare for evacuation. Eruptions are continuing as of February 20.
Nurses are expected to strike at a number of hospitals throughout England, United Kingdom beginning March 1 for 48 hours. The strikes are due to an ongoing pay dispute and are expected to impact emergency, accident, and maternity services, causing staffing shortages in these departments.
An anti-war protest is planned at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany on February 20 at 2:00 PM local time. The protesters are demonstrating against the German government’s and other European countries’ contributions of material support to Ukraine, and demand European powers negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Early February 20 there was a shooting in the Mage district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event occurred in the Praia de Maua, a very popular center for international travelers. One fatality has been reported, with several other injuries. This area is known to host events for Carnival, and is well frequented by tourists.
On February 19, heavy rain caused floods and landslides which killed at least 26 people and displaced over 500 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The government also declared a state of “public calamity” following the disaster in São Sebastião, Ubatuba, Bertioga, Caraguatatuba, Ilhabela. Weather forecasts show that the heavy rain will continue for the next week; rescue operations remain ongoing.
Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Freddy is expected to make landfall in Madagascar on February 21, and continue into mainland Africa on late February 22 or early February 23. Freddy is expected to bring a coastal surge, flooding inland rains, and strong damaging winds across Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana throughout the week.
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