China
Severe flooding and landslides have left at least 200 people dead or missing, some of them tourists. A collapsed dam killed eight tourists in Guangxi province July 14, and flooding at a resort near Dujiangyan in Sichuan province left another 43 people dead. This is the worst flood season Sichuan has seen in 50 years, officials reported. The storms have caused 3,710 landslides to date, blocking roads throughout five provinces including Shaanxi, Jiangxi, and Sichuan. More than 300,000 residents have been evacuated, with more evacuations anticipated as typhoon rains continue. Visitors should check local news before traveling to affected areas.
France
Six passengers were killed and up to 200 more injured when a train derailed in the southern suburbs of Paris July 12. Witnesses reported that part of the train split off and rolled on its side as it arrived at the station. The state railway company said that a metal bar connecting two rails had become detached 650 feet outside Bretigny-sur-Orge station. Travel to and from Austerlitz station in Paris was temporarily suspended.
Greece
Flights and other public transportation were disrupted nationwide as thousands took part in planned protests Tuesday, in the country’s fourth general strike this year. The demonstrations affected tax offices, hospitals and other government services, as well as local and international transit. Limited public transport was provided for those joining the rallies in Athens and other major cities, but many regularly scheduled routes were canceled. The walkouts came as a response to government austerity measures and plans to cut roughly 4,200 public sector jobs.
Mexico
The Puebla international airport in central Mexico has reopened after ash from nearby Popocatepetl volcano caused a temporary closure July 12. As flights resumed, the U.S. State Department issued an unrelated travel warning for Mexico advising that criminal activities including homicide, gun battles, kidnapping, carjacking and highway robbery, continue to occur. Major tourist destinations are generally considered safe.
Reunion Island
A 15-year-old girl was killed by a shark off the French-owned island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean Monday. Though most previous shark attacks in the area have involved surfers who were farther offshore, in this case the victim was swimming just 15 feet from the beach at St. Paul Bay. This is the second fatal shark attack near Reunion this year. A few days before the incident, authorities had warned of increased shark sightings in the area.
Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, travel.state.gov.
