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African Tourism Board CEO flies home with South African terror victims on Egypt Air

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African Tourism Board CEO Doris Worfel from Pretoria experienced a first-hand account on today’s terror attack targeting a tour bus with South African visitors on their way to see the Pyramids. All victims survived after a bomb went off injuring many passengers on  the bus operated by Egyptian tour company  Dominant Travel 

Doris Woerfel, CEO of the African Tourism Board left Cairo for Johannesburg on Egypt Air flight MS 839 Sunday night and was able to get to know some of the victims of the attack.

Doris told eTurboNews: “We departed about one hour late because some of the passengers were unable to get on the flight due to their injuries. Egypt Air had to unload their bags before the plane was allowed to take off.

I  was trying to calm down a lady who was constantly crying. She was very upset and her body was covered by small cuts. She was wearing a bandage on her arm.

She told me:  “I was on a tour bus and the bus was attacked by terrorists and a roadside bomb exploded. There was a sudden pressure and a loud bang when we were passing by a new museum close to the Pyramides. Within seconds,  there was broken glass flying around everywhere. It was like a shotgun hitting my face, my arms, and my husband’s legs. My husband was wearing shorts.

I was lucky enough to wear sunglasses. My glasses and my camera was damaged, but I didn’t have any injuries to my eyes. Many of the people on the bus not wearing glasses suffered serious eye injuries.

We had about 25 passengers on the bus, and first responders arrived almost instantly and were quick to take us to hospitals. The doctors and nurses were absolutely fantastic. They are my heroes.  They really cared so much.

The Hon. Rania Al-Mashat, the minister of tourism for Egypt came to the hospital and was very sweet. She apologized for the incident and said she would do everything possible to help.

Some passengers only had minor injuries, and the minister arranged a private tour to see the Great Pyramid. The tour was accompanied by a special security team arranged by the minister.

African Tourism Board CEO Doris Woerfel added:” Its paradox.  I had a meeting with Mr. Ahmed Yousef, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board at the Ministry of Tourism. I wanted to discuss cooperation with African Tourism Board and bring up the subject of safety and security. The chairman had to cancel the meeting and agreed to postpone our discussion.

Egypt remains to be an excellent destination like no other. I hope the country can quickly recover from today’s incident.
When I discussed the beauty of Egypt during the flight, the lady agreed but started crying again.

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Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, U.S. and British Authorities warn in response to terror attacks

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in a statement released urges hotels in Sri Lanka to take maximum measures to strengthen security as Hotels have been one of the main targets. Please assist us in spreading the word and let us not forget to help tourists who are currently in Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lanka travel industry is bracing for the impact of the horrific attack Easter Sunday in the nation’s capital Colombo and in Negombo, where the airport is located.

Sri Lanka received 2.1 million tourists in 2017 and had set a target to double that number this year. Free visas to visitors from 30 countries including the U.S.,UK, EU and Thailand are part of this strategy.

Currently, Sri Lanka is quiet. It’s a curfew and all roads are closed.

The U.S. embassy raised the level of travel advisory for Sri Lanka to level 2: The embassy warned terrorist groups to continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

The White House issued a statement, that the United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have claimed so many precious lives on this Easter Sunday. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka arrested 13 alleged suspects. Another attack on the airport was prevented. 215 people including foreign tourists were killed, more than 500 injured in a series of planned and coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday.

The UK Foreign Department is telling British Citizens:

On 21 April 2019 bombs were used to attack three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka, in central Colombo; in the northern suburb of Colombo Kochchikade, and in Negombo roughly twenty miles north of Colombo; and in the east of the country in Batticaloa. There have been significant casualties. If you are in Sri Lanka and you are safe, we advise that you contact family and friends to let them know that you are safe.

If you are in Sri Lanka and have been directly affected by the attacks, please call the British High Commission in Colombo: +94 11 5390639, and select the emergency option from where you will be connected to one of our consular staff. If you’re in the UK and worried about British friends or family in Sri Lanka caught up in the incidents, please call the FCO switchboard number: 020 7008 1500 and follow the same steps.

Security has been stepped up across the island and there are reports of ongoing security operations. if you are in Sri Lanka, please follow the advice of local security authorities, hotel security staff or your tour company. The airport is operating, but with increased security checks. Some airlines are advising their passengers to arrive early for check-in, in light of increased security screening.

The Sri Lankan authorities have declared a nationwide curfew. You should limit movements until this has been lifted, following the instructions of the local authorities and your hotel/tour operator.

The Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed that, if you need to catch a flight from Colombo airport, you are able to travel to the airport provided you have both passport and ticket valid for travel that day. They have also confirmed that arrangements have been put in place for arriving passengers.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Terror Attack on Shangri La, Kingsbury Hotel and three churches in Sri Lanka

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The Shangri La Hotel Colombo, the Kingsbury Hotel and three churches in Kochchikade and Negombo were targeted by terrorists today in Sri Lanka. This is another attack on the travel and tourism industry, an important sector of Sri Lanka’s economy.

At 11.10h local time, a happy Easter in Sri Lanka turned deadly. A major deadly terror attack in Sri Lanka with five explosions are reported. Two explosions in St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade and more in Negombo Katuwapitiya Church.

Another explosion in Kingsbury Hotel and 3rd floor Shangri-La in Colombo. The Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo overlooks the Indian Ocean and is located in the heart of the business district and the capital’s buzzing social scene.

The five-star Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo is located in-between Galle Face Green, the World Trade Centre, and the Dutch Hospital Precinct.

According to insiders, today’s terror attack in Sri Lanka is not local. It has roots outside. It may be a calibrated response.

50 dead and more than 280 injured. Since this is Easter, Churches are busy everywhere in the world. It’s unclear if tourists and foreigners are among the victims in Sri Lanka. T

 

 

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