Is it safe to travel to Afghanistan? What does the Ministry of External Affairs say

This issue is not new and had already come to the fore during the pandemic, for some reason, and later and with the beginning of conflicts such as Ukraine (2022) and Israel (2023); amount of though Places where political stability has been compromised or does not exist It is widespread: Sudan (and the Sahel in general), Syria, Haiti… these are all places where tourist protection is currently lacking.

Afghanistan is considered a risky destination. Source: Pexels

In the specific case of the Afghan country, information showed that tourists were traveling last Friday, May 17 a group of thirteen people and they were in the city of Bamiyan, in the center of the country, when the attack occurred. Two of the victims were a mother and daughter, both pharmacists from Catalonia He had traveled to Afghanistan to spend a few days on holiday. The third deceased Spanish citizen was also Catalan.

Tourists target of attacks

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming to be tourists They were targeted because of their citizenship of a country involved in an international coalition Who fought against them because they were Shia Hazaras. The attack was the biggest attack against foreign tourists in Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in August 2021, after NATO troops evacuated Kabul.

“The security situation in Afghanistan remains of concern. Although it is possible to travel across the country and the level of violence has decreased, attacks remain frequent throughout the region”.

After these events, the Spanish Embassy in Afghanistan is temporarily closed to the public -as Foreign Affairs reports on its website- and has suspended its activities in the country “until the security situation allows it to reopen”, temporarily transferring the delegation to Doha (Qatar). Is done. The page also states that “there is a risk of kidnapping or attack throughout the country.”

No consular services in Afghanistan

Those who, nevertheless, decide to travel to the Asian country under the current circumstances, the ministry warned that “Consular protection and assistance cannot be offered at this time On the ground for the Spaniards living in Afghanistan. And, it specifies that for emergency situations you can contact the Consular Emergency Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.

“Some commercial flights have resumed after the Taliban came to power in 2021, but international airports do not meet international safety standards”

It should be remembered that in foreign travelWhere tourists may be exposed to health hazards, such as injuries, diseases and epidemics – or natural hazards, such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, which are the most common; It is advisable to have travel insurance Guaranteeing adequate assistance, compensation, or even repatriation if applicable.

More information related to tourist safety:

– Security No. 1 criterion for Europeans when choosing a destination in 2024

– Why is travel insurance becoming necessary?

– This is how travel risks become more complex in 2024

– Travel insurance: Appointments increase among those over 65

“now we have A customer who is very aware of the risks, For example, he does not go to Egypt after learning that they have closed the border between Egypt and Gaza. Moreover, vacations are being planned much earlier again,” Manuel López Muñoz, CEO of Atlantigo and founder of Intermundial, explained in a recent interview with HOSTELTUR.