Several explosives detonated at the Zamra Convention Center in Kochi, India, on October 29. The bombs detonated during a Jehovah’s Witness meeting with over 2,000 participants. At least three are dead and over 50 are injured, and police have a suspect in custody. Heightened security is present around the center and in all urban areas, including New Delhi and Mumbai.
On October 25 at 2:30 AM, Hurricane Otis, an unprecedented category 5 hurricane, made landfall in Acapulco, Mexico causing severe flooding and landslides. Winds reached up to 165 MPH, knocking down communication lines and leaving many without power. The hurricane will persist northward into central Mexico.
Expect a heightened security presence in Rio de Janeiro following violent riots on October 23. Numerous roads were blocked off with burning buses and tires, and a rogue bus blocked Avenida Brasil, a major road through the city. Public bus company MobiRio temporarily shut down all of its lines in response. Large numbers of police officers are deployed to stop and prevent further unrest.
On October 23, students held an unauthorized protest near the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal. Participants gathered outside the Lycee Maurice Delafosse building, 3 KM from the university. Police intervened and deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd. At least two individuals were arrested, and further civil unrest in the immediate vicinity is likely to occur.
On October 16 at 7:15 PM, a shooting near the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, left two people dead. The gunman immediately fled the scene, and is still at large. Authorities believe the incident to be connected to “Day of Rage” and have raised Belgium’s threat level to the maximum. Heightened security is in place in the area as authorities search for the suspect.
Attacks and threats related to the “Day of Rage” call to action on October 13 have caused major disruptions across France. The Louvre, Versailles Palace, and Gare de Lyon station were each evacuated on October 14 in response to bomb threats, while a school stabbing attack in Arras killed one teacher and injured two on October 13. French officials have deployed 7,000 security personnel across the country in response.
On October 7, more than 2,000 people were injured and 200 were killed as a result of renewed conflict between Palestine and Israel. Hamas militants infiltrated the cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, and Rehovot with rocket fire and ground forces. Israel responded with retaliatory strikes and a declaration of war. Flights in and out of Israel have been cancelled through at least October 9. Heightened security and more violence are anticipated in the coming days.
On October 3 at 7:45 PM, in the Mestre area of Venice, Italy, a tour bus fell off of a highway bridge into a railyard, resulting in a reported 21 deaths and 40 possible injuries. Foreigners were killed in the crash, but no Americans have been confirmed on board at this time. Rail service between Venice and mainland Italy is expected to be delayed in the coming hours.
On September 28, a masked gunman opened fire in various classrooms at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands before setting fire to a nearby house. Three people were confirmed to be injured, and a suspect has been arrested by local police. Expect continued traffic disruptions in the area and significant disruption to all activities at the medical center as emergency operations continue.
On September 25, health officials declared a dengue fever outbreak in Jamaica. There are at least 565 cases of suspected or confirmed cases located in the eastern section of the island, Kingston included. Dengue fever, AKA breakbone fever, is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted by infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. High fever, rash, and joint pain are common symptoms, with serious bleeding and shock occurring in severe cases.