China (Security threat level – 3): On 25 December 2018, a man armed with a knife hijacked a passenger bus in the city of Longyan, in the southeastern Fujian province. He subsequently drove the bus into a crowd of pedestrians. At least five people were killed, while 21 others were injured. Police officers detained the assailant after the event. The motive for the incident remains unknown.
India (Security threat level – 3): On 25 December 2018, heavy fog at Indira Gandhi International Airport (VIDP/DEL) prompted authorities to implement Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) between 0130 and 1215 local time (2000 and 0645 UTC on 24 and 25 December). At least 80 flights were delayed, two were canceled and five were diverted as a result of the conditions.
Indonesia (Security threat level – 4): On 26 December 2018, Indonesian officials warned of “extreme weather and high waves” in the vicinity of the actively erupting Anak Krakatau volcano. Authorities urged people to stay away from coastal areas along the Sunda Strait, which were struck by a tsunami that killed more than 400 people on 22 December. The anticipated rough weather could further destabilize the volcano’s caldera.
Philippines (Security threat level – 4): According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, as of 0900 UTC on 26 December 2018, Tropical Depression 35W was located approximately 1,350 km (840 mi) east-southeast of Manila, and was tracking west at 11 kph (7 mph). The storm was generating maximum sustained winds of 46 kph with gusts up to 65 kph. Current forecasts predict 35W will make landfall by 28 December, though areas such as northeastern Mindanao island, Eastern Visayas and Bicol could experience rain beginning on 27 December.
Italy (Security threat level – 3): At 0319 local time (0219 UTC) on 26 December 2018, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 5 km (3 mi) north of Aci Catena, a commune of the Sicilian city of Catania. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The strong tremor injured at least 28 people, damaged several old buildings and led to the partial closure of the A18 Catania-Messina motorway. The quake occurred near Mount Etna, which erupted on 24 December and emitted plumes of ash, temporarily disrupting operations at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (LICC/CTA); the 26 December quake did not affect the airport. An Italian Civil Protection spokesperson stated that approximately 1,000 tremors have affected the area surrounding Mount Etna during its ongoing eruption.
Libya (Security threat level – 5): On 25 December 2018, three assailants armed with machine guns and wearing suicide vests attacked the Foreign Ministry building in Tripoli. The assailants launched their attack with a car bomb, and then opened fire. At least two assailants managed to enter the building and detonate their suicide vests; ministry guards shot and killed the third assailant. Officials stated that at least three people were killed and 11 others were injured during the attack. The Islamic State reportedly claimed responsibility.
Tunisia (Security threat level – 3): On 25 December 2018, protesters clashed with police officers for a second day in a row in the city of Kasserine, located approximately 180 km (110 mi) northwest of Sfax, following the funeral of a journalist who set himself on fire on 24 December to protest economic hardships. According to reports, security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered in front of the city’s prefecture; there were no reports of injuries or arrests. The previous day, police officers also used tear gas to disperse protesters, who had burned tires, blocked roads and threw stones at security forces following the journalist’s self-immolation. At least six police officers were injured and several people arrested during the 24 December protests.
Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 25 December 2018, thousands of protesters attempted to march on the presidential palace in Khartoum to demand President Omar al-Bashir’s resignation amid rising prices and shortages of food and fuel. Police officers used tear gas and fired shots into the air to disperse the demonstrators. March organizers claim that at least eight protesters suffered gunshot wounds and that hundreds of others were injured; the exact number of casualties remains unclear. The march was organized by a group of independent professional unions and was the latest in a series of anti-government protests that have been taking place in Sudan since 19 December.
Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.
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