Melbourne Airport 2 Near Misses – “luck” that we didn’t have an impact

Malaysia Airlines A330, and Bamboo Airways 787 in near misses at Melbourne airport in 2023. Both aircraft took off only a few metres above runway workers at Melbourne airport.

Incidents were caused by flight crews’ insufficient understanding of take-off conditions, safety investigator says.

Incidents were caused by flight crews’ insufficient understanding of take-off conditions, safety investigator says. Photo Credit: Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A failure of flight crews to fully understand take-off conditions almost led to two major accidents at Melbourne Airport in 2023, a safety investigation has found.

A Malaysia Airlines A330 bound for Kuala Lumpur, with 247 people on board, and a Bamboo Airways 787 departing for Ho Chi Minh City, with 212 people on board, both overran a shortened runway during take-off.

Both aircraft lifted off only metres above where night work was being carried out on the runway.

The safety inspector said the separate incidents were “very serious”, and were caused by flight crews’ insufficient understanding of take-off conditions.

“It was by luck in this case that we didn’t have an impact,” the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said.

The runway had been shortened to accommodate resurfacing work and flight crew of both aircraft had been given the necessary take-off instructions, the safety investigator said.

Each aircraft reportedly took off past the limit of a shortened runway, resulting in “jet blast affecting … objects and people in the work area”, the ATSB noted.

The incidents took place within weeks of each other in September 2023.

ATSB said while the two airlines’ flight dispatchers had accounted for the reduced runway length in their calculations, they did not highlight the shortened runway to the flight crews for input into the plane’s flight management computers.

In both cases, flight crews used take-off calculations that expected a full runway length.

The Malaysia Airlines flight cleared the work crew by seven metres, while Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways flight passed over by 4.5 metres.

Reported on 12 November 2025 By Travel Weekly Asia

Kidnappings in Cambodia soar in recent months

Student’s alleged torture death by Cambodia scammers sparks turmoil in South Korea

South Korean president urges ‘all-out’ efforts to protect citizens after number of kidnappings in Cambodia soars in recent months.

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung has called for “all-out” diplomatic efforts to protect citizens in Cambodia after a university student was lured there by a scam ring and allegedly tortured to death.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said “protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the government’s greatest responsibility” and called for all those caught up in the scams to be “swiftly repatriated”.

The number of kidnappings of South Koreans in Cambodia has soared in recent months, prompting national security adviser Wi Sung-lac to form an emergency task force for the swift repatriation of citizens affected by scams.

Victims of scams are typically lured with promises of high-paying jobs before being confined in compounds and forced to participate in online fraud operations, particularly voice phishing scams, according to multiple sources, including Yonhap News. Those who refuse face beatings with pipes and electric shock devices, according to rescued victims who spoke to lawmaker Park Chan-dae, Yonhap News reported.

The body of the alleged victim, identified by Cambodian authorities as 22-year-old Park Min-ho, remains in Cambodia more than two months after his death. In a media interview, family members described the situation as “killing him twice”, with his remains still in cold storage. South Korea is seeking to conduct a joint autopsy.

Three Chinese nationals have been charged with murder and online fraud in connection with Park’s death, according to Cambodian prosecutors. Two additional suspects remain at large.

Park’s family last saw him in mid-July, when he left home, reportedly telling his family he was attending an exhibition during a summer holiday. A week later, his family received a ransom call demanding 50m won (£26,000), with the caller claiming Park had “caused trouble”, according to Yonhap News.

Contact ceased after several days, and two weeks later, his body was found near Bokor Mountain in Kampot province, an area known for crime compounds and human trafficking.

According to Cambodia’s interior ministry, the student died from “severe torture” and showed bruising in many places on the body, based on authorities’ investigation and preliminary autopsy.

A witness who was confined with Park and later rescued told Democratic party lawmaker Park Chan-dae’s office that the student had been so severely beaten he could not walk or breathe. He reportedly died in a vehicle while being taken to hospital.

Amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries, South Korea is seeking to send police to Cambodia to establish a “Korean desk” so officers can work directly with Cambodian police rather than operate via embassy officials. Both sides are scheduled to meet next week.

Cambodia’s interior ministry has disputed some media reports, stating it did not receive complaints from Park’s family or the Korean embassy before police discovered his body in a vehicle during a patrol. The ministry said it was cooperating with Korean officials on the investigation.

Lee Un-ju, a senior Democratic party lawmaker, wrote on Facebook that if Cambodia responded inadequately, strong action “should be considered” to protect Korean nationals.

The case has exposed an explosion of kidnappings involving Koreans in Cambodia. Reported cases jumped from 17 in 2023 to 220 last year, with 330 recorded by August this year, according to data the foreign ministry provided to parliament.

South Korea has raised travel warnings for Phnom Penh and areas including Sihanoukville and Bokor Mountain to special advisories, urging citizens to cancel or postpone non-essential travel.

Amnesty International recently identified 53 large-scale scam compounds in Cambodia and accused the government of enabling the operations through inaction.

Reported by The Guardian on 14 October 2025.

Boeing Dreamliner software can cut fuel without pilot input, and it has happened twice.

Boeing Dreamliner has a system capable of cutting fuel to the engines on its own

Aviation attorney and former US Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo has cautioned against rushing to blame the pilots in the Air India crash. She pointed out that the Boeing Dreamliner has a system capable of cutting fuel to the engines on its own.

Pointing to past incidents involving Boeing 787s, she said known software-triggered engine issues — including systems that can cut fuel flow mid-air — must be thoroughly examined before drawing conclusions.

“In about 75% of the cases, the pilots are blamed — and in many cases, we’ve been able to disprove that,” Schiavo said in an interview with Barkha Dutt. “It is not only unfair but simplistic and harmful to blame the pilots… there are too many suspicious things to say, ‘Oh, it’s the pilots’.”

Schiavo pointed to prior incidents involving the same aircraft model where onboard systems, without pilot input, cut fuel to the engines mid-air. She cited a 2019 All Nippon Airways incident where a Boeing 787’s system mistakenly shut off fuel mid-air after misjudging that the aircraft had already landed. “That system — TCMA — has already been faulted in a prior incident. It can and will cut the thrust to both engines if it malfunctions,” she said.

“There have already been two interesting somewhat similar situations on the All Nippon Airways flight back in 2019,” she said. “As the plane was coming into land, the fuel control cut off occurred. The plane itself cut off the fuel to the engines. The plane came in like a very heavy glider, but because it was landing, not taking off, there was no crash.”

She also referred to a more recent case involving a United Airlines Dreamliner flight between Washington DC and Nigeria. “The plane itself put the plane into a nose dive. There was a thrust issue, there was an engine issue, and the plane experienced some deviations,” she said.

What happened in the All Nippon case?

Explaining the ANA case in detail, Schiavo said the Boeing 787 is equipped with several automated systems, including one mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help distinguish between flight and ground conditions. “This particular system wanted the plane to have the ability all by itself — pilots didn’t have to do this — to sense whether it’s in the air or on the ground,” she said. “And what happened in the ANA flight back in 2019 is the plane thought it was already on the ground and it was still in the air, and it cut the fuel.”

Such misjudgements can have serious consequences, she noted, particularly during takeoff, when aircraft have only seconds to achieve a stable rate of climb. “On takeoff, you don’t have that luxury,” she said.

What is TCMA? 

At the centre of her concern is the Dreamliner’s Thrust Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA) system, a software protocol mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which can command the aircraft to cut engine power under certain conditions. “The TCMA is a system that the FAA mandated so that the plane itself can assess when it needs to cut back the power. And that is tied in with the flight controllers, which are on both of the engines,” she explained. “This system, which has already been faulted in a prior incident, can and will cut the thrust to the engines both if it malfunctions and says it’s time to cut the thrust. And that has happened before.”

‘Not enough evidence to blame the pilots’

Schiavo criticised the rush to pin the Air India crash on the pilots, pointing out that such conclusions often come too early and derail a full investigation. “Just having one pilot allegedly say to the other, ‘Why did you do cut off?’ and the other one say, ‘I didn’t,’ that’s not nearly enough,” she said.

“There are experts whose job it is literally to listen for tiny inflections in the pilot’s voice, to listen for every click in the cockpit, to listen for everything that happens. Until that is done, and until we know whether the aircraft itself could have cut those switches — as it did in All Nippon Airways — it is unfair and simplistic to blame the pilots.”

Schiavo also invoked past examples where pilots were wrongly blamed. “In about 75% of the cases the pilots are blamed and in many cases… we’ve been able to disprove that,” she said. “Everyone remembers MH370. There was not a shred of evidence that the pilots did that intentionally and yet they got blamed.”

She cautioned that such investigations can take years. “The flight data recorder will have literally millions of lines of code and reported information. It’s the most advanced flight data recorder out there. Each of those will have to be examined,” she said. “In the case of a takeoff… pilots simply do not have the time and the altitude. Altitude is time. The higher you are, the more time you have to react.”

Until all these angles are explored, Schiavo says, “it is not only unfair, but it’s simplistic and harmful to blame the pilots.”

Reported on 17 July 2025 by Business Today.

Travelrisk In-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat

Airlines introduce new rules for lithium batteries to avoid catastrophes in the cabin.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has recorded more than 500 in-flight lithium battery incidents.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has recorded more than 500 in-flight lithium battery incidents. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Popelniushka

Airlines are scrambling to rewrite the rules on taking lithium batteries onboard, although there are concerns that in seeking to set new safety standards, airlines are creating extra confusion for passengers.

Due to overheating, lithium batteries in devices such as cellphones have been responsible for causing  incidents onboard airlines, most notably when an Air Busan plane in January burst into flames while preparing to take off from South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport.

CNN reports the US Federal Aviation Administration has recorded more than 500 in-flight lithium battery incidents involving smoke, fire or extreme heat in the past two decades.

Cathay Pacific and low-cost affiliate HKExpress this month banned passengers from using or charging portable batteries while in flight, or charging them through aircraft power outlets.

Passengers are allowed to bring lithium battery-powered devices onboard in carry-on luggage, but they cannot be stored in overhead lockers. They must remain with the passenger at all times, Cathay said.

Singapore Airlines introduced new rules from 1 April, advising that SIA Group “complies with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries.

“This means power banks must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights and are not permitted in checked baggage.”

Scoot, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Eva Air, Air Astana and China Airways have each tightened regulations. South Korean airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana have taken similar action.

Air India said it constantly reviews policies based on industry events and regulatory recommendations.

“As change from current practice may introduce new risks and there is no clear consensus on the best approach, Air India policy remains unchanged at this juncture,” a spokesperson said.

Official advice from Qantas is that, “while we don’t recommend passengers use power banks onboard, they are not prohibited by aviation regulation except for take-off and landing”.

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority  CEO and director of aviation safety, Pip Spence, said it was important passengers planned and followed airline guidance when packing their bags.

“The average passenger now travels with at least four lithium battery devices,” she said.

‘Sometimes power banks and spare batteries can short circuit and catch fire. Carrying them with you in the cabin means that trained aircrew can handle any issue quickly and safely.”

Reported by Travel week Asia on 14 April 2025.

TravelRisk: Turbulence is one of the most frequent causes of injuries on airplanes

    • Turbulence is one of the most frequent causes of injuries on airplanes, every year in the United States some 65,000 aircraft suffer moderate turbulence and 5,500 run into severe turbulence, costing the US airlines up to $500 million per year, due to injuries, delays and damages.
    • It is time to develop solutions that mitigate the risk of injury due to turbulence, perhaps a bicycle style helmet for flight attendants? 
    • This article reports that Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on 21 May 2024 was not hit by clear air turbulence, but rapidly developing thunderstorms.

Most of us have experienced turbulence while traveling: when your plane flies through clashing bodies of air moving at widely different speeds.

Severe turbulence can put even the most seasoned flier on edge and make five minutes seem like an eternity. Usually it results in nothing more than a bumpy ride, but in the worst cases it can cause damage, injury and – in the case of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 on May 21 – fatality.

In nonfatal accidents, turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to flight attendants and passengers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and it’s one of the most common airline accident types today, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board. It costs US airlines – due to injuries, delays and damages – up to $500 million per year, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

“There is a scale for measuring how strong turbulence is,” Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in the UK, told CNN in 2022. “There’s light turbulence, which is a bit of strain against your seat belt, but food service can continue and you can probably walk around the cabin, maybe with some difficulty.

“Then there’s moderate turbulence, a definite strain against seat belts, anything that’s not secured will be dislodged, and walking is difficult; flight attendants are usually instructed to take their seats.

“The worst kind is severe turbulence: This is stronger than gravity, so it can pin you to your seat and if you’re not wearing your seat belt you’ll be tossed around inside the cabin. This is the kind of turbulence that causes serious Injuries – it’s been known to break bones, for example.”

Strikes fast and no visual clues

About 65,000 aircraft suffer moderate turbulence every year in the US, and about 5,500 run into severe turbulence. These numbers, however, might be destined to grow. Williams believes that climate change is modifying turbulence, and started studying the subject in 2013. “We ran some computer simulations and found that severe turbulence could double or triple in the coming decades,” he says.

The findings, which were later confirmed by observations, highlight a type of turbulence called “clear air turbulence,” which isn’t connected to any visual clues such as storms or clouds. Unlike regular turbulence, it hits suddenly and is hard to avoid. The Singapore Airlines flight of May 21 was not hit by clear air turbulence, but rapidly developing thunderstorms.

According to the NTSB, between 2009 and 2018, the flight crew had no warning in about 28% of turbulence-related accidents. Williams’ analysis predicts that clear-air turbulence will increase significantly around the globe by the period 2050-2080, in particular along the busiest flight routes, and the strongest type of turbulence will increase the most.

That doesn’t mean, however, that flying will be less safe. “Planes are not going to start falling out of the sky, because aircraft are built to very high specification and they can withstand the worst turbulence they can ever expect to encounter, even in the future,” says Williams.

However, the average duration of turbulence will increase. “Typically, on a transatlantic flight, you might expect 10 minutes of turbulence. I think that in a few decades this may increase to 20 minutes or to half an hour. The seat belt sign will be switched on a lot more, unfortunately for passengers.”

The seat belt sign is now switched on

Keeping your seat belt fastened at all times while seated is the best way to minimize the risk of injury due to turbulence.

Flight attendants, however, are more exposed to that risk than passengers and sustain approximately 80% of all turbulence-related injuries. “We’re the most likely to get hurt because we’re up working, pushing 300-pound carts, even when there’s some sort of warning,” Sara Nelson, a United flight attendant with more than two decades of experience and the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, a union representing 50,000 flight attendants across 20 airlines, told CNN in 2022.

“We have flight attendants who have been thrown into the ceiling and then back down several times, resulting in broken limbs. In the aisle, with unannounced turbulence, we had people who lost toes, or lost the ability to work, or sustained injuries that kept them off the job for years,” she adds.

The aviation industry is taking the problem very seriously, Nelson says, but the transition to sustainable fuel must accelerate to tackle the climate crisis, and some regulations need to change. For example, the ability for children under the age of two to fly on their parents’ lap.

“That is totally unsafe and our union has been calling for a seat for every person on board,” Nelson says. “Not only can a child be thrown around the cabin, but when they come down they can actually hurt someone else, too. When a child is born, you can’t leave the hospital unless you have a properly installed car seat. The same standards must be applied to flying.”

Calls for stringent new rules

The NTSB held a public meeting about turbulence in 2021, during which it offered the same recommendation, along with more stringent rules about fastening seat belts for both passengers and flight attendants when the aircraft is flying in the vicinity of thunderstorms and under 20,000 feet, as most injuries occur under these conditions. It also recommended to streamline the systems for collecting and sharing turbulence reports, because that information isn’t traveling widely or promptly enough at the moment.

While the effects of climate change on turbulence will take many years to become obvious, Nelson believes some worsening has already occurred.

“This is of course anecdotal, but from Hurricane Katrina forward there seems to have been a pickup in the activity of turbulence, especially turbulence that comes with no warning,” she says.

Her worst ever turbulence experience occurred during a flight to Dallas, which was eventually diverted.

“When anything happens on the plane, the passengers look to us, to see if we look concerned,” she adds. “I was flying with a very good friend of mine and we were strapped in on the jump seats, facing the back of the aircraft – so there was a lavatory in front of us, instead of passengers.

“Thank goodness, because we were clutching each other and we were getting thrown around in our seats so violently that it felt like our brains were getting scrambled. It went on for a very long time, but luckily we got safely on the ground,” she says.

“Typically I’m not scared of turbulence, because it’s something that we’re taught about in training and we know what to do to protect ourselves. But it is possible to have turbulence so bad and go on for so long that even knowing all of that, my friend and I were praying – and I have to say I was scared for my life.”

This story was originally published in September 2022. It was updated and republished in May 2024 by CNN.

Travel Risk: Turbulence Singapore Airlines SQ321 killed 1 and injured 30 passengers

A passenger is dead and several others are injured after a Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence on Tuesday.

Flight SQ321 had been en route to Singapore from London when the incident occurred. The Boeing 777-300ER diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing.

The flight dropped 7,000 feet in 6 minutes.

“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” said the airline in a statement. “Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. We are working with the local authorities in Thailand to provide the necessary medical assistance, and sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed,” the airline said.

The aircraft had a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members on board.

Reported by BBC on 20 May 2024.

Travel Risk caused by Indonesian Batik Air pilots that fell asleep mid-flight

Indonesian airline pilots fell asleep mid-flight, says safety agency

The Indonesian air safety agency has called for better pilot fatigue monitoring mechanisms, after an investigation revealed that both pilots of a commercial aircraft had recently fallen asleep in-flight.

A pilot and co-pilot were simultaneously asleep for approximately 28 minutes during a Batik Air flight from South East Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta on January 25, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said.

The report, seen by AFP today, was uploaded to the agency’s website in late February.

Indonesia is a vast archipelago with a poor air safety record, despite relying heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands.

One of the pilots had not rested adequately on the night before the flight, the report said.

The incident resulted in a series of navigation errors, but the Airbus A320’s 153 passengers and four flight attendants were unharmed during the two-hour-and-35-minute flight.

About half an hour after the plane took off, the captain asked permission from his second-in-command to rest for a while, with the request being granted.

The co-pilot then took over command of the aircraft, but also inadvertently fell asleep, the report said.

“The second-in-command had one-month twin babies. His wife took care of the babies and he assisted while at home,” the report said.

A few minutes after the last recorded transmission by the co-pilot, the area control centre in Jakarta tried to contact the aircraft. It received no answer.

Twenty-eight minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot woke up and realised his co-pilot was asleep and that the aircraft was not on the correct flight path.

He immediately woke his colleague up, responded to the calls from Jakarta and corrected the flight path, the report said.

The plane landed safely after the incident.

Investigators did not identify the pilots, but said they were both Indonesians and were aged 32 and 28.

KNKT urged Batik Air to create detailed procedures to conduct proper and regular cockpit checks and to ensure that pilots and cabin crew were well-rested before their flights.

Batik Air did not immediately respond to questions when contacted by AFP.

Reported on 8 March 2024 by MalayMail.

TravelRisk: Alaska 737-9 Door Plug Bolts Never Re-installed by Boeing

NTSB Report: Alaska 737-9 Door Plug Bolts Left Behind At Boeing

Alaska 737-9 door plug hole
Credit: NTSB

More digging determined the MED, which stays bolted in place except during maintenance or non-routine repairs, was not opened from the airplane’s Oct. 31, 2023, delivery to Alaska and the accident flight. This period includes time spent at AAR Corp’s Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, facility where a Wi-Fi antenna was installed.

“The manufacturing/human performance group has done a complete records review from the time the event airplane left the Boeing factory to the time of the accident and found no evidence that the left MED plug was opened after leaving Boeing’s facility,” the NTSB said.

Investigators are focusing on a repair done on Boeing’s factory floor as the period when the bolts were forgotten.

Fuselage and door plug manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems shipped the affected fuselage with several damaged rivets just in front of the left side MED plug that blew out, the NTSB found. The fuselage arrived at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, 737 production facility on Aug. 31. A day later, Boeing flagged the rivet problem and ordered it repaired.

Spirit workers assigned to the 737 factory completed the work on Sept. 19, the NTSB said. But the bolts were apparently never replaced, setting the stage for the Alaska accident.

A Boeing-supplied photo taken before the work started shows the retaining bolts in place. Photos pulled from communications between Boeing “team members” sent just after the rivet fixes were done and included in NTSB’s report show a photo of the plug in the closed position without the bolts.

Investigators don’t know exactly what happened in between or in the weeks leading up to the aircraft’s delivery.

“The investigation continues to determine what manufacturing documents were used to authorize the opening and closing of the left MED plug during the rivet rework,” the NTSB wrote.

The NTSB preliminary report does not analyze the investigators’ findings. It is not clear whether Boeing or Spirit personnel were ultimately responsible for putting the bolts back.

Boeing’s quality assurance process and its FAA-approved safety management system (SMS)—effective enough to detect the original rivet non-conformances—did not flag the missing bolts.

“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened,” company CEO Dave Calhoun said in a statement. “An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory.”

Investigators are still gathering facts that will help them understand what happened.

“Interviews of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems’ personnel will be scheduled at a future date,” the NTSB said. “The group will also be looking at Boeing’s SMS and Spirit AeroSystems’ ongoing development of its voluntary SMS program. The group will also assess the FAA’s involvement in the manufacturers’ development of their respective SMS programs and the level of oversight applied to each.”

Fallout from the accident and related quality problems at Boeing and Spirit have both companies under intense scrutiny. The FAA has sent a team to Renton to inspect aircraft and records as part of a wave of new surveillanceand review of 737 MAX production. It also is limiting deliveries of newly built 737s to 38 per month as part of voluntary production-rate freeze.

Boeing has added internal inspections as well as more oversight in Spirit’s Wichita factory as it struggles to get its arms around chronic issues within its walls and those of its most important supplier.

Reported on 6 February 2024 by AviationWeek.

Travelrisk: Bahamas

Bahamas travel warning issued in wake of 18 murders so far this year

Travellers have been warned to think twice about visiting this tropical paradise after 18 murders so far this year and “frequent” sexual assaults.

Think twice about a tropical getaway to the Caribbean this winter.

The US embassy in the Bahamas has released a security warning and travel advisory that the island nation is currently unsafe for tourists amidst 18 murders — “primarily” motivated by gang violence — in January alone, the NY Post reports.

Safety concerns have reached a point of severity where US officials say people shouldn’t even try to “physically resist” being robbed.

“Murders have occurred at all hours including in broad daylight on the streets,” the embassy wrote in a release, also recommending the use of “extreme caution” on the eastern side of the Bahamas’ capital city of Nassau.

The port of Nassau, capital of the Bahamas. Picture: iStock

The port of Nassau, capital of the Bahamas. Picture: iStock

The embassy also says that Americans should be especially vigilant at night-time and “keep a low profile” always.

The US State Department, which on Friday put the Bahamas on an “exercise increased caution” warning, noted that the danger persists in tourist and non-tourist areas.

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis addressed the frightening violence last week, saying that there will be roadblocks and covert police action initiated to contain the crisis, according to the Nassau Guardian.

“This may make you late for your appointments, or delay plans you have, but this is a small price to pay for the collective benefit of having our streets made safer, and our lives less blighted by murder and other violent crimes,” he said.

There is also concern over unregulated recreational watercraft activities, which according to the state department may not be properly regulated or maintained for safety, and improper judgment has been used in the past by boaters.

Travellers have been warned of the high threat of violent crime. Picture: iStock

Travellers have been warned of the high threat of violent crime. Picture: iStock

“Commercial watercraft operators have discretion to operate their vessels regardless of weather forecasts; injuries and fatalities have occurred.”

Earlier this week, the State Department also put nearby Jamaica on a level three of four “reconsider travel” advisory — the only higher threat being a “do not travel” warning.

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common,” the department warns.

“Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises travellers to “exercise a high degree of caution in the Bahamas due to the threat of violent crime”.

“Travellers may be victims of violent crime, including in resorts,” reads DFAT’s most recent advice as of October 26.

“Be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables out of sight. Armed robberies, burglaries, bag snatchings, theft, fraud and sexual assaults are the most common crimes committed against travellers in Freeport and Nassau. Be aware of your surroundings, even in areas usually considered safe.”

It adds, “Sexual assault frequently occurs in the Bahamas. Don’t visit deserted beaches or walk alone, especially after dark. Food and drink spiking is a risk in tourist resorts. Never leave your food or drink unattended.

Reported on 27 January 2024 by news.com.au

Travelrisk for Australians: 22 Destinations with ‘Do NOT travel’ Warnings

‘Do not travel’: Destinations Aussies are warned to avoid

There are currently 22 places that the Smartraveller website is urging Australians not to visit.

Lebanon

Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Lebanon due to the volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further.

Daily military action is occurring in southern Lebanon, including rocket and missile fire, as well as airstrikes. The situation could escalate quickly or spread to other areas in Lebanon, including Beirut.

If the security situation in Lebanon deteriorates, it’s likely that Beirut airport would close, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period.

Yemen

While you may be tempted to check out the famous dragon blood trees of Socotra, Yemen (pictured above), you’ll need to put that plan on ice for the time being. Not only have most international airlines ceased flights to Yemen, it is also on Smartraveller’s “do not travel” list due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism.

The website says: “Do not travel to Yemen due to the ongoing civil and international conflict. Fighting continues in most parts of the country, and while there are currently no military airstrikes, they may recommence without warning. There’s extreme political instability, risk of injury from landmines and unexploded ordinance, and a very high threat of kidnapping and terrorism. You may also be unable to get enough food, water or medical care”.

  • Weapons are readily available. Yemenis are often heavily armed. Armed carjacking is common.
  • Always drive with your doors locked and windows up. Petty crime is increasing against foreigners, especially if cash or valuables are visible.
  • There’s a high threat of piracy in Yemeni waters and the Gulf of Aden

Somalia

Terrorist attacks are an ongoing problem in this part of Africa.

Possible targets include the international airport, government officials and buildings, hotels, restaurants, foreigners and foreign interests, and UN workers. The most recent incidents have caused hundreds of fatalities and injuries.

The kidnapping risk is also very high in all parts of Somalia. Several active terrorist groups have the intent and capability to kidnap foreigners. Make sure your movements aren’t predictable.

Pirate attacks in and around Somalia’s waters, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden are a serious threat. This includes far off the Somali coast.

Residential areas and markets in south-central Somalia have experienced shootings and grenade attacks.

On top of that, Somalia has extreme weather, including severe droughts, heatwaves and floods. It’s also prone to tsunamis.

Iran

Foreigners in Iran are at a high risk of arbitrary detention or arrest (in recent times Australians have been detained without due process of law).

Iran also does not recognise dual nationality which means the Australian government’s ability to provide consular support to dual Australian-Iranian nationals is extremely limited.

Localised protests continue in parts of Iran. Security forces’ response has been severe, and many protesters and bystanders have been injured, killed or detained. There’s been an increase in the number of foreign nationals arrested during the protests.

Kidnap for ransom is a risk for travellers, and regional tensions are high and could escalate rapidly. There is ongoing hostility between Iran and Israel, and military tensions between Iran, the US and other countries in the Middle East. The Iran-Iraq, Iran-Afghanistan, and Iran-Pakistan border areas are extremely dangerous.

Women in particular can face unwanted attention and harassment.

Ukraine

Smartraveller continues to advise that Australians do not travel to Ukraine due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Heavy fighting continues in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Missile strikes and attacks are ongoing in some locations across the country, including in major cities. There have been many casualties. Foreigners have been killed and may be targeted. Large amounts of unexploded ordnance and landmines are present in conflict and post-conflict areas.

Chad

Chad is considered extremely dangerous due to the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest and violent crime.

Armed robbery and carjacking has increased, including in daylight. Local security forces, or people posing as them, may also try to extort money from foreigners.

Russia

Smartraveller warns Australians against travel to Russia due to the security situation and the impacts of the military conflict with Ukraine.

Russian authorities have made strong, negative comments regarding Western countries. Local authorities may adopt a more negative attitude towards foreigners in Russia and enforce local laws in an arbitrary manner.

Security incidents, such as drone attacks and explosions, often occur in southern and western areas of Russia, including regions bordering Ukraine, Moscow, and St Petersburg.

Burkina Faso

The security situation in this part of Africa continues to be volatile.

There’s an ongoing high threat of terrorism and kidnapping. Extremist militant groups continue to attack targets across Burkina Faso. Further attacks are highly likely, including in the capital Ouagadougou.

The Australian High Commission in Accra has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Burkina Faso.

Yellow fever, malaria and other insect-borne diseases are common and the rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high.

Syria

The security situation in Syria remains extremely volatile. There is an ongoing threat of armed conflict, air strikes, terrorism and kidnapping. Foreigners, especially aid workers and journalists, have been kidnapped and chemical weapons have been used in the conflict. Protests can turn violent and authorities have arrested people near demonstrations, regardless of their citizenship.

Crime in general has increased, including violent robberies, kidnappings and carjackings. For any Australians who are in Syria despite government advise, Smartraveller advises that you keep your vehicle doors locked and windows up, even when moving.

Iraq

In Iraq there is a risk of violence, armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorist attacks.

Organised criminal gangs, militia and tribal groups are significant threats and there is a high threat of kidnapping throughout the country. Large protests and political rallies occur regularly across Iraq and these can quickly turn violent.

Venezuela

The political and economic situation continues to be unstable in this section of South America. There are high levels of violent crime, and shortages of food, water, medicine and petrol.

Common violent crime includes murder, armed robbery, drive-by shootings, sexual assault and carjackings.

Shortages of basic goods can result in long line-ups at stores. This can lead to fighting, looting and theft.

Natural disasters are also a risk – severe weather, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and landslides can occur.

Afghanistan

There’s an ongoing and very high threat of terrorist attacks throughout Afghanistan.

Terrorists continue to target foreigners, NGOs and humanitarian operations. Foreign nationals, including Australians, also face a serious threat of kidnapping or detention. There are no Australian officials in Afghanistan, and the Australian government’s ability to provide consular and passport assistance to Australians in Afghanistan is severely limited.

Niger

The security situation in this part of Africa remains highly volatile. There’s ongoing political instability. Protests and civil unrest are expected to continue and can turn violent without warning.

There’s also a high risk of kidnapping for foreigners, and terrorism. Terrorists may target places visited by foreigners, including hotels, cafes and restaurants as well as government buildings, security facilities, international organisations, diplomatic buildings and police stations.

Myanmar

Since the Myanmar military assumed control of the country, there has been a significant increase in the level of violence, with many deaths and injuries. Violence, including explosions and attacks, can occur anywhere and anytime. Attacks may be planned against locations that foreigners frequent, including public spaces and civilian infrastructure.

There’ve been widespread detentions, including of foreigners. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention.

Australians are also warned to be aware of offers of employment that appear ‘too good to be true’. Foreign nationals have been trafficked into Myanmar (either directly into Yangon or via a neighbouring country) and forced to work in fraudulent activity, with poor pay and living conditions, restrictions on movement, and severe mistreatment.

Sudan

A civil war is occurring in Sudan, with Khartoum and Darfur among the worst affected areas.

Thousands have been killed and millions displaced. Law and order and government services have broken down in many parts of Sudan. Water, electricity, telecommunications, and banking services may not be available. Most hospitals are not functioning. Civilians have been killed in airstrikes and artillery bombardment. Residents have been evicted from homes by armed groups, and looting is common.

Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are a risk.

There’s a threat of terrorism. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Kidnapping is a serious risk in Sudan, including in Khartoum. Kidnappers often target foreigners.

Central African Republic

There are ongoing military operations throughout the CAR and outbreaks of intercommunal violence and armed conflict can happen without warning. Tensions are high. Armed groups operate across the country. They’ve killed foreigners, including aid workers and peacekeepers. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) regularly attacks civilians in the southeast of the CAR, especially Haut-Mbomou province.

Kidnapping and violent crime occur. Kidnappers can target foreigners and bandit groups are common.

Yellow fever is widespread and medical facilities in the CAR are limited. Many medications are unavailable. If you’re seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated.

Belarus

The security environment in Belarus is volatile and could deteriorate at short notice.  The volatile security environment is caused by the Russian military presence along Belarus’ border with Ukraine and military conflict. Russian forces are conducting military operations from Belarus, and this has heightened tensions in the region.

Belarus has laws incurring jail sentences for ‘terrorism propaganda’ and ‘discrediting’ the Belarusian armed forces and military organisations. Penalties may be severe, including the death penalty for high treason.

Large protests occur in Minsk and other cities in Belarus. Harassment of foreigners is possible. You may not be able to trust the police and other local officials. People have reported harassment, mistreatment and extortion by officials.

There’s also a radiation exclusion zone around nearby Chernobyl. Authorities may restrict travel in this region. Food may have high levels of radiation so it is advised to avoid eating local food.

South Sudan

The political and security situation in South Sudan is volatile and can worsen without warning. Fighting and instability continue across the country. The Australian government’s ability to provide consular services in South Sudan is extremely limited.

Kidnapping, murder, shootings, home invasions, armed robbery, carjacking and sexual assault are common throughout South Sudan, including in Juba. Petty crime, such as theft and fraudulent currency exchange, is common.

Libya

Violent fighting is widespread and ongoing in Libya. The security situation is very unstable. There’s a high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping and crime.

On 10 September 2023, Storm Daniel struck eastern Libya. Severe flooding in eastern Libya has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage to critical infrastructure, further limiting access to essential services (including hospitals).

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. They include typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, plague and measles.

Mali

There’s an ongoing and very high threat of terrorism throughout Mali. Terrorists have primarily targeted security forces facilities, resulting in casualties, including civilians. Attacks can occur in places visited by foreigners, including airports, public transport and transportation hubs, tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets and hotels.

Armed robbery and carjackings also occur, particularly in the north. Several groups target foreigners. Ransoms paid to kidnappers fund terrorism.

Avoid speaking out against the government. Local authorities could see this as provocative or anti participation. Severe penalties, including the death penalty, may occur.

Haiti

Smartraveller advises Australians not to travel to Haiti due to the dangerous security situation, threat of violent crime, kidnapping and severe shortages of basic necessities including fuel, water and food.

Kidnappings are common in Haiti. Since September 2020, hundreds of foreign nationals have been abducted. Victims have included missionaries, aid workers and children. Most of the victims have been released in exchange for ransom. In some cases, victims have disappeared or been killed.

Cholera is also an ongoing risk in parts of Haiti.

North Korea

Australians are warned against attempting entry to North Korea “due to the very different laws affecting visitors and the uncertain security situation”.

North Korea and South Korea are technically still at war, and tensions have increased in recent times. North Korea frequently conducts missile tests or other provocations, raising regional tensions.

The Smartraveller site also says: “the North Korean Government restricts information, especially about domestic politics and international relations. You can usually access international satellite TV channels at tourist hotels. However, if the government shuts these down in a crisis, you may not know what’s happening”.

Reported on 23 January 2024 by Escape.com.au