Urgent travel warning: dangers in popular holiday countries!

Urgent travel warning: dangers in popular holiday countries!

The Federal Foreign Office is currently warning against traveling to several popular holiday countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Armenia and Venezuela, in an updated travel warning. There are particular risks in border areas and specific regions of these countries.

In Egypt, the security risks are classified as significant. In particular, the Sinai region, the Egyptian-Israeli border area and several remote parts of the Sahara are considered dangerous. Travelers are strongly advised not to undertake individual excursions and overland trips in the south of the Sinai Peninsula. In addition, the risk of terrorist attacks remains despite a lifted state of emergency. Military presence in the affected areas has been greatly expanded.

Turkey under special observation

There are also specific warnings in Turkey due to the high terrorist threat. The provinces of Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Sırnak and Hakkâri, which border the conflict areas with Iraq and Syria, are particularly affected by increased security precautions. In larger cities such as Istanbul and Ankara there are also warnings of protests that could lead to road and subway closures. German citizens should also prepare for possible arrests and refusals of entry.

Additionally, political events and demonstrations can cause legal problems, particularly if they relate to Kurdish issues. Statements on social media could also have consequences, underlining the sensitivity of the situation in the border regions.

Other risky travel destinations

The travel warning also applies to Armenia, especially to the village of Yeraskh in Ararat Province and areas bordering Azerbaijan. We advise against possible armed conflicts in the border area. In Japan, there are partial travel warnings for areas around the Fukushima Daiichi I nuclear power plant, where evacuation orders are in place and security risks exist in cities like Tokyo, particularly in the form of petty crime.

The Philippines and Venezuela are also on the list of risky destinations. In the Philippines, the regions around Mindanao are particularly affected by terrorist activities and political unrest. Travelers should especially be wary of Islamist groups. In Venezuela, the risk of crime is high due to the tense economic situation, and spontaneous demonstrations could further aggravate the security situation.

Global threat situation

The global threat of terrorist attacks and kidnappings remains. Terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State have increased mobilization potential, especially in the context of the conflict in the Middle East. Places with symbolic character such as sights and transport infrastructure are particularly potential targets. The Federal Foreign Office recommends that travelers obtain comprehensive information about the risks in their destination areas and act safety-consciously.

Travelers are advised to also follow local and international media for current developments. Suspicious occurrences such as unattended luggage or suspicious behavior should always be reported to local police or security authorities.

The situation in many of these countries requires special attention and caution to minimize possible risks. Travelers can obtain further information on the websites of the Foreign Office and CHIP, which provide regularly updated safety information. Further details can be found on chip and Foreign Office be read.