Afghanistan (Security threat level – 5): At approximately 0200 local time (2100 UTC) on 22 June 2022, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck nearly 45 km (30 mi) southwest of the city of Khost — located near the Pakistani border — at an approximate depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported that at least 119 million people across Afghanistan, India and Pakistan felt the quake. Severe damage was reported throughout Afghanistan’s Paktika and Khost provinces. Significant damage was reported in Pakistan to buildings near the Afghan border, but it is currently unclear whether the damage was caused by the earthquake or recent flooding. In Afghanistan, the earthquake killed more than 1,000 individuals, while another 1,500 sustained critical injuries. The number of casualties is expected to increase as rescue operations continue.
Sri Lanka (Security threat level – 3): On 22 June 2022, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced in an address to Parliament that the nation’s economy had collapsed amid months of nationwide electricity, fuel and food shortages. Wickremesinghe warned that the economic crisis is likely to worsen, as accumulated debt by state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has prohibited the country from purchasing fuel from international suppliers. Lengthy fuel queues and daily electricity blackouts of up to 13 hours at a time have led to large-scale demonstrations and the resignation of several senior members of government, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brother, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Large-scale daily protests and acts of civil disobedience are likely to resume in Colombo and other major cities as the effects of the country’s inability to supply fuel for transportation, electricity and cooking needs reverberate throughout society.
Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 21 June 2022, Mexican authorities announced the deaths of two Canadian nationals in the coastal resort town of Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo state. The victims – one of whom was wanted by Interpol on fraud charges – were staying in a condominium where they were reportedly attacked with a knife by an unknown assailant. One other individual was also injured during the attack, which is the latest in a string of violent events in recent years in the tourist state of Quintana Roo.
United States (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1730 local time (2130 UTC) on 21 June 2022, Red Air flight L5-203 traveling to Miami from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, made a crash landing at Miami International Airport (KMIA/MIA). The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 passenger aircraft’s landing gear collapsed as it touched down, causing the aircraft to impact a communications tower and small building before catching on fire soon after landing. Emergency services quickly extinguished the flames and evacuated the aircraft’s 126 passengers. Three people who sustained minor injuries in the crash were hospitalized. The crash delayed several flights but did not significantly impact most operations at Miami International Airport. The U.S. FAA has launched an investigation into the crash.
Bulgaria (Security threat level – 3): On 21 June 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia issued a Demonstration Alert regarding upcoming political protests in the capital area, which reads in part as follows: “As reported in the news and media, numerous political protests are expected to occur in Sofia during the coming days in relation to the developing political situation in Bulgaria. These protests have the potential to block major routes and intersections in the center of the city, particularly near the government buildings near the National Assembly, Council of Ministers, and the Presidency. This could lead to significant traffic congestion and delays. Some protests could exceed thousands of participants, and often occur with little notice. While normally non-violent, escalation of tensions can occur between various political supporters.
“You are reminded to be alert during this time, and are recommended to avoid the areas impacted by demonstration activities for the duration of the events. Blocked streets, road closures and a police presence around the city center and on major roadways could lead to heavier than normal traffic delays throughout Sofia. Please note that road closures and demonstration locations can change quickly.”
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