GUATEMALA
Torrential rains from Hurricane Stan swept across Guatemala and other Central American countries causing extensive flooding and massive mudslides that wiped out entire villages. Areas hardest hit were Mayan mountain villages, but Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel, both on the shores of Lake Atitlan and popular with foreign tourists, were overwhelmed. Some 40 people were killed in a huge mudslide in Santiago Atitlan. Major highways were blocked and many bridges destroyed. Beyond Guatemala, deaths occurred in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.
ITALY
Labor unions have planned several strikes in October that may affect travel. Air traffic controllers intend to strike for four hours beginning at noon in Catania, Sicily, Oct. 18 and nationwide Oct. 19. Controllers in Florence and Perugia plan a 24-hour walkout Oct. 19. A 24-hour general strike Oct. 21 could affect air, ferry and rail service nationwide, and baggage handlers and Alitalia workers at Turin’s Caselle Airport have plans for separate strikes the same day. Also in Turin, rail workers intend to strike for eight hours beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 28, and state railway workers in Abruzzo will walk off the job for 24 hours beginning at 9 p.m. Oct. 27.
PAKISTAN
The devastating earthquake that struck the Pakistani-administered portion of Kashmir Oct. 8 killed thousands, flattened villages and towns, and destroyed hundreds of buildings in the regional capital of Muzaffarabad. Travel to the area, including the North-West Frontier and portions of Indian-administered Kashmir, should be avoided until the crisis has passed and recovery has got substantially under way.
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
The Serbian province of Kosovo has spent the last six years under U.N. jurisdiction, but talks are poised to begin in December to decide whether the region should remain part of Serbia or gain full independence. As this process gets under way, tensions are likely to rise and protests could occur. In the past few weeks, several bombs have been discovered on U.N. and Kosovo police vehicles, but none has detonated. Americans have not been targeted in these incidents, but such discoveries are reminders to remain alert for unattended bags or parcels and to report them to authorities. U.N. officials have advised staff to check in and around their vehicles before driving them.
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For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
