UK tourists have been alerted to an urgent and ‘credible’ warning made by the US embassy about a potential “attack targeting popular tourist locations”. The American embassy in Sri Lanka sounded the alarm at 9am on October 23, strongly urging US citizens to steer clear of the popular tourist hotspot of Arugam Bay until further notice.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) echoed this advice, advising UK tourists in the region to ‘be aware of your surroundings at all times’. In a statement issued by the UK’s Foreign Office, it said: “At 9am on October 23, the US Embassy in Colombo issued a security alert. ‘The US Embassy received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area,” reports MirrorOnline.
It continued: “‘Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice. US citizens are strongly urged to avoid the Arugam Bay area until further notice.’ Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and follow our guidance on safety and security.”
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The US embassy has also urged its citizens in Sri Lanka to report any suspicious activity or emergencies to local authorities and to ‘maintain vigilance’. The alert concludes with the advice: “Trust your gut, if a situation doesn’t feel right, get out of it. Always have some form of communication on you (ie cell phone). Monitor local media for news and updates.”
The new alert comes after the Foreign Office updated its travel advisories for six countries after heightened tensions in the Middle East. As reported by Express.co.uk, it comes after recent military strikes by Israel on Iran on October 26, spiking security concerns across the region.
People have therefore been advised to remain vigilant and check for the latest updates on safety and security before departing. The Government strongly encouraged Brits venturing to Morocco, Egypt, UAE, Tunisia and Palestine to register with local embassies where possible. Brit should also stay updated on current events, and listen to all travel advice.
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