SafeAbroad Analysts have assessed Diwali celebrations in major Indian cities to be relatively low-risk at this time; however, petty crime, protests, environmental hazards, and traffic-related incidents pose a moderate risk to students.
In response to Israel’s campaign in Gaza, Hamas officials called for a “Day of Rage,” to take place on October 13, encouraging terrorist attacks and unrest from supporters around the world. Several countries have reported related attacks, threats, and violent unrest on and shortly after the “Day of Rage.” In response, many countries such as France and Germany have banned related public demonstrations and deployed security personnel en masse. These severe measures have provoked public backlash and led to further demonstrations in opposition to the crackdowns.
SafeAbroad analysts have assessed the upcoming 2023 election in Argentina will have a moderate impact on travelers in the country. The heated election is likely to create frequent and possibly intense political demonstrations in the days leading up to the vote, but said demonstrations have a low chance of turning violent. However, these risks could increase in the event of a runoff or contested election following the October 22 vote.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched an attack from the Gaza Strip, targeting dozens of locations across southwestern Israel with rocket barrages and ground attacks. More than 2,200 deaths have been reported, with thousands more wounded. Several foreign nationals, including at least twenty-two Americans, have been reported among those killed. Multiple borders and ports have been closed, while several airlines have suspended service into Israel.
At 7:45 PM on October 3, a passenger bus crashed through a barrier, over a bridge, and into several power lines in Mestre, Italy, near Venice. Twenty-one passengers, including two children, are confirmed dead, with at least forty more injured. At this time, local authorities have confirmed that several Ukrainian, German, Bulgarian, French, Spanish, and Croatian passengers were on board. There have been no reports of Americans injured or killed at this time.
The continuing series of heat waves in Europe pose a significant risk to travelers, leading many nations to discourage travel and daytime activities in the near future. Travelers in southern Europe should be aware that the combination of wildfires and 110+ degree weather is likely to make outdoor activities unsafe. Those outside of southern Europe …
Situation Report: 2023 European Heatwaves – Updated August 7 Read More »
On June 27, Nanterre police shot and killed 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk during a police traffic stop. Protests denouncing the shooting developed into a nationwide movement against police brutality, culminating in five nights of rioting between June 27–July 1. The associated violence saw major acts of arson and vandalism in almost all French urban centers, including Paris, Marseilles, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Roubaix, leading to the arrests of thousands of participants.
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.
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