Foreign & Commonwealth Office News
FCO urges Brits to play safe overseas
There have been 13 incidents of young people falling from balconies so far this year, three of these cases resulting in death. In response, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and ABTA have joined forces on a campaign to help prevent balcony incidents among young people in popular holiday resorts.
More Brits hospitalised while abroad, FCO reveals
The annual British Behaviour Abroad report, compiled by the Foreign Office & Commonwealth Office, has revealed staff handled 19,874 assistance cases last year - up three per cent from the previous year. The report highlights a significant increase in the number of hospitalisations reported to consular staff among British people travelling to popular holiday hotspots including Spain, Greece and Egypt.
British climbers killed in Alps named
Two British climbers killed in the French Alps have been named by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office as John Taylor and Steve Barber. The pair, both from York, were killed in an avalanche alongside seven others on Mont Maudit near Chamonix on Thursday.
FCO warns Brits abroad to behave following uptick in arrests
New figures reveal the number of British nationals arrested overseas has risen by six per cent in the past year. Between April 2011 and March 2012, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office handled 6,015 arrest cases involving British nationals - up from 5,700 in the previous year.
FCO offers travel advice for football fans in Ukraine
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is urging thousands of England fans travelling to the Ukraine for Euro 2012 to take note of the latest travel advice – particularly to read up on the country’s local laws and customs before travelling to avoid penalties off the pitch. To help fans be on the ball, the FCO has partnered with the Football Supporters’ Federation to produce the Euro 2012 Free Lions guide which officially launches today.
Foreign Office warns Brits over Maldives travel
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has urged travellers to avoid “all but essential” travel to Malé Island in the Maldives. The moves comes after former vice president Mohammed Waheed Hassan stepped up to become president following the resignation of Mohamed Nasheed resigned after police joined widening street protests against his government.
America warns travellers over possible Bangkok danger
American citizens in Thailand have been warned terrorists may be looking to conduct attacks against tourist in Bangkok in the “near future”. Those in the area are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office offers advice for Euro 2012 fans
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has issued travel advice for England football fans planning to attend the 2012 UEFA European Championships following the draw for the tournament. England have been placed alongside France, Sweden and Ukraine in Group D for the tournament, which gets underway in Warsaw on June 8th next year.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office withdraws Thai travel warning
While still advising “caution” while travelling to Thailand, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office is no longer advising against “all but essential” travel to the country. Bangkok and many of the surrounding areas are still experiencing flooding, with as many as 530 deaths reported as a result.
British Consulate: ‘Leave us alone’
Despite being funded by British taxpayers, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office is today reminding British travellers not to contact them while overseas unless it is an emergency. While reminding travellers its network of embassies, high commissions and consulates can offer a list of local funeral directors, the FCO said it would not be helping Brits with weather forecasts or ticket bookings.
Foreign Office warns against Thai travel as situation deteriorates
Officials at the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office have begun to warn against “all but essential” travel to the Thai capital of Bangkok as flooding worsens. A further 26 provinces in Thailand are also affected by flooding, with hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars worth of damage reported across the country.
Kenya seeks to quell tourism concerns following tourist murder
Officials in Kenya have drafted extra police and soldiers into the area where a British holidaymaker was shot and killed and his wife kidnapped. David and Judith Tebbutt were staying at the luxury Kiwayu Safari Village when the incident occurred on September 10th.