Many countries in Asia are popular travel destinations. There is one thing vacationers should avoid at the moment. Terrorists operating there are targeting foreigners.
Frankfurt – New memories should be created on vacation. Be it by immersing yourself in a foreign culture, through culinary experiences or simply spending a nice time together on the beach. However, there is one thing that no one wants on vacation: to be in mortal danger. To ensure that this does not happen, the travel warnings from the Foreign Office should be checked regularly. If a travel warning is issued for the chosen holiday destination, this can have an impact on your stay. There are currently active travel warnings for two countries in Asia: Japan and the Philippines.
The Foreign Office advises against vacationing in the Philippines - travel warning due to increased risk of terrorism
The travel warning for the Philippines notes that “there is an increased risk of terrorist attacks in several regions of the country.” An increase in kidnapping cases has also been observed. The following areas are affected:
Zamboanga Peninsula
Northern Mindanao (Region X), excluding Camiguin Island
Davao Region (Region XI), excluding the urban area of Davao City
Soccsksargen (Region XII)
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Islands of the Sulu Archipelago, excluding Siargao Island
Islamist terrorist groups and rebels are active in these areas and “attacks and fighting with the Philippine army and security forces continue to occur,” according to the Foreign Office. Particular caution should be exercised against the Islamist terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, which is primarily active in Mindanao and Lake Sulu and is believed to be responsible for numerous murders and kidnappings.
The Abu Sayyaf group particularly targets foreigners. The Foreign Office therefore advises people to be “particularly vigilant in busy places and during unusual events”.
Travel warning for Japan: Areas around Fukushima continue to be evacuated - avoid traveling there if possible
The travel warning for Japan has been in place for almost twelve years - since the reactor accident in Fukushima. According to a statement from the Foreign Office to
IPPEN.MEDIA,
this has “been part of the travel and safety advice since 2011”. It does not refer to the entire country, but specifically to “the evacuated areas around the Fukushima nuclear power plant designated by the Japanese government.”
The Federal Foreign Office informs on its website that evacuation orders still exist for some areas near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Parts of the following localities are affected:
Futaba
Iitate
Katsurao
Minamisoma
Namie
Okuma
Tomioka
It is strongly advised not to stay in the evacuated areas. If a trip there is unavoidable, it is recommended that you contact the local authorities in advance. Last year there was, among other things, a travel warning for Italy because of the rampant dengue fever there. The Foreign Office also warned against a trip to Machu Picchu - the residents there were on strike. (sp)