AFRICA

Somalia (Security threat level – 5): At approximately 1200 local time (0900 UTC) on 23 October 2022, three al-Shabab militants launched an attack on the Tawakal Hotel in the port city of Kismayo, located in the southern Jubaland state. The attackers detonated a car bomb at the hotel’s main entrance before storming the building, which was hosting a meeting of state government officials. Security personnel then engaged in a gunbattle with the militants inside the hotel, which lasted for about eight hours. At least 12 people were killed — including all three gunmen — and 47 more were injured in the episode.

The attack on the Tawakal Hotel appears to have been a deliberate targeting of Jubaland’s government officials, who — along with large numbers of businesspeople — frequent the hotel for meetings and other events. Al-Shabab regularly carries out attacks on Somali government assets as part of the militant group’s ongoing campaign to seize power and territorial control across the country.

ASIA

Bangladesh (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 1500 local time (0900 UTC) on 24 October 2022, authorities announced the closure of Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport (VCEG/CGP) and Cox’s Bazar International Airport (VGCB/CXB), both located along the southern coast of Bangladesh, due to inclement weather conditions brought by Cyclone Sitrang. The two airports will remain closed until 1200 local time on 25 October. Cyclone Sitrang is forecast to strengthen as it crosses over the Bay of Bengal before making landfall between the islands of Tinkona and Sandwip during the morning of 25 October.

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Costa Rica (Security threat level – 3): On 22 October 2022, a twin-engine Piaggio P180 Avanti aircraft crashed into the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Costa Rica approximately 30 km (20 mi) from Limón international Airport (MRLM/LIO). The aircraft, which was carrying five German nationals and a Swiss pilot, was en route to the airport from Mexico. Search and rescue personnel have located the remains of the aircraft and retrieved the bodies of two individuals whom they have not yet identified.

NORTH AMERICA

Canada (Security threat level – 2): Shortly after 1600 local time (2000 UTC) on 22 October 2022, flight operations at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (CYTZ/YTZ), located on the Toronto Islands, were suspended following the discovery of a suspicious package attached to a bicycle parked near the airport’s mainland ferry terminal. The airport and ferry terminal, as well as two nearby residential buildings, were evacuated while police officers investigated the suspicious package. Authorities carried out a controlled explosion of the device at approximately 2300 local time and declared that there was no longer a threat to public safety. Authorities detained two people in relation to the incident but later released them. Flights through the facility resumed on the morning of 23 October.

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 0530 local time (1130 UTC) on 22 October 2022, Hurricane Roslyn made landfall near the town of Santa Cruz in the western Nayarit state, a thinly populated area. At the time, Roslyn was at Category 3 strength with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph (120 mph) and higher gusts. Rainfall from the storm caused heavy flooding and landslides in the affected areas. Local media reports indicate that one person was killed in the district of Mexcaltitan de Santiago Ixcuintla and another in Rosamorada, both located in Nayarit, after the individuals attempted to shelter in unsafe building structures. In the state capital Tepic, high winds and heavy rains felled trees, downed power lines and caused a landslide that blocked off a main highway. In the municipality of San Blas, some residences sustained damage while others lost power. Minor structural damage and power outages were reported in the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state. The Federal Electricity Commission stated that more than 150,000 customers lost power due to the passage of Hurricane Roslyn. The storm has since dissipated after moving farther inland over central Mexico.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Philippines (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 2300 local time (1500 UTC) on 24 October 2022, Korean Air flight KE631 carrying 165 passengers and 11 crew members overshot the runway upon landing at Mactan–Cebu International Airport (RPVM/CEB) and came to a halt in a grassy area with a collapsed front nose gear. The Airbus A330-322 aircraft, which originated at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (RKSI/ICN), had aborted two landing attempts amid heavy rainfall before the incident, which significantly damaged the aircraft. All individuals on board disembarked the aircraft using emergency slides. There were no reports of injuries. Dozens of flights scheduled to operate through the facility have since been canceled, as the aircraft still remains at the site.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): On 23 October 2022, the U.S. Embassy issued a warning regarding a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in the Abuja Federal Capital Territory area, which reads in part as follows: “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations. The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.”