Is it secure to journey to Nepal? Authorities recommendation amid lethal protests

Flights out and in of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, have been cancelled with the airport shutting following deadly protests in Nepal over a authorities social media ban.

At least 19 folks have been killed, and round 100 extra injured, as clashes between demonstrators and police erupted in Kathmandu.

Kathmandu is a well-liked metropolis break vacation spot attributable to its historic temples, bustling markets and spectacular Unesco World Heritage websites, corresponding to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It can also be typically the departure level for these set to climb the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, situated outdoors the town within the Himalayas.

For travellers planning on visiting Kathmandu or different areas in Nepal, and people already there, right here is the most recent UK authorities journey recommendation.

What is occurring in Nepal?

At least 19 folks have been killed in Nepal amid clashes between protestors and police over a authorities social media ban.

The demonstrations began when 1000’s from Generation Z, these of their teenagers and 20s, protested in opposition to the ban on 26 social media platforms, together with Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Police have been accused of “firing indiscriminately” at demonstrators, whereas authorities say the protestors broke by way of a barricade to power their method into the parliament complicated in Kathmandu.

Amid the protests, tyres have been set on fireplace and objects have been hurled at rows of riot police. One eyewitness informed The Independent he noticed protesters setting fire to the homes of some politicians in Kathmandu on Tuesday.

Protestors marched by way of the town bearing the nationwide flag and carrying indicators stating slogans corresponding to “Shut down corruption, not social media”.

The protests that began within the capital have unfold nationwide to different cities, together with Biratnagar, Bharatpur, and Pokhara.

Nepal has since reversed the ban, withdrawing the decision to block social media platforms following an emergency cupboard assembly late on Monday. On Tuesday, Nepal’s prime minister KP Sharma Oli launched a press release saying he was resigning in gentle of the disaster.

Even after the social media ban was lifted, demonstrators stated they’d proceed to protest. Demonstrators say their grievances are about extra than simply the social media ban, with some stating that they’re continuing to protest corruption and nepotism.

What is the UK authorities recommendation?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed that there have been quite a lot of casualties in Nepal and has suggested travellers to keep away from protests.

“Protests are taking place in Kathmandu and elsewhere across the country. There have been violent clashes, with lethal force used by the police. This has led to a number of deaths and injuries,” the FCDO stated.

“Curfews have been introduced in several cities, including Kathmandu and Pokhara. Avoid protests, check local media for updates, and follow direction of the authorities.”

“Kathmandu airport has also been disrupted, impacting domestic and international flights. Contact your airline, hotel and tour operator for up-to-date information before travel. Tourists should be able to move around and travel to and from airports with proof of travel plans,” the FCDO added.

“While the social media ban has been lifted, expect continued disruption to services.”

In its normal civil dysfunction recommendation for Nepal, the FCDO provides that quite a lot of teams have said their intent to organise protests or political rallies in Kathmandu and elsewhere throughout the nation.

The FCDO stated that they will begin at brief discover and should result in clashes between protesters and regulation enforcement. Protests trigger disruption to move, and the authorities could enhance the police presence.

Will my flight be cancelled?

Tribhuvan International Airport, the capital’s predominant airport, is situated near the town centre and has shut attributable to “adverse conditions within the valley” in addition to “smoke” seen across the airport and the flight path, the airport stated in a translated put up.

Many flights within the morning have been cancelled or diverted to different airports in Nepal and India, and by Tuesday afternoon, the civil aviation authority introduced the whole closure of the airport with instant impact.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

As a passenger, you might be lined by UK regulation if you’re departing from an airport within the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport within the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport within the EU on a UK airline.

Airlines should give you care and help in case your flight is cancelled, that means they need to provide you with food and drinks (typically supplied within the type of vouchers), means so that you can talk (typically by refunding name prices), lodging if you’re given a brand new flight the next day, and transport to and from the lodging or your property.

The airline should give you these things till it is ready to fly you to your vacation spot, irrespective of how lengthy the delay lasts or what has triggered it, the Civil Aviation Authority says.

Sometimes, airways are unable to rearrange care and help if they’re stretched throughout main disruptions, that means you possibly can prepare the care your self and declare the fee again later by protecting receipts.

Can I cancel my vacation?

As the FCDO has not warned in opposition to journey to Nepal, there might be no particular circumstances in place to have the ability to cancel a visit for a full refund.

The situations for cancelling your journey might be dependent in your vacation supplier, so it’s finest to contact them for those who’re seeking to postpone.

There is not any obligation for corporations to refund bookings if you wish to cancel, and also you won’t be able to say in your journey insurance coverage attributable to security issues except authorities recommendation adjustments.

If you do have journey insurance coverage, some insurance policies embody pure catastrophe cowl for an occasion that stops you from reaching your vacation vacation spot. Check your insurance coverage insurance policies and converse to your insurer to see the place you stand.

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