Tag Archives: Terrorist Attacks

Dept of Commerce’s Chelsea Decaminada Injured in Sri Lanka Bombing Has Died

May 13, 2019 By in Federal Agencies, Hotspots, Realities of the FS, Terrorism, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , ,

 

A  U.S.  Government employee seriously injured in the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday died on May 4 as a result of injuries she suffered during the attacks.  Chelsea Decaminada worked as an international program specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce and was on assignment in Sri Lanka. She previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in  in Tanzania. She graduated from Duke University in 2015. RIP Chelsea Decaminada.

@StateDept Ups Sri Lanka Travel Advisory After Multiple Easter Sunday Explosions (Updated)

April 22, 2019 By in Hotspots, Realities of the FS, Security, State Department, Terrorism, U.S. Missions, Updates Tags: , , , ,

Updated: On April 26, 2019, the Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of U.S. government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade.  The Department also authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members.

On April 21, the State Department increased the Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) after multiple attacks throughout the country. Explosions reportedly occurred at  the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo and churches in Kochchikade, Katuwapitiya and Batticaloa; the blasts killed 290 people and wounded 500.  Arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing according to media reports.

The Advisory says in part:

Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism. Terrorist groups 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 U.S. Embassy in Colombo also announced that it will be closed to the public on April 22. The American Center in Colombo & all American Spaces will also be closed. Emergency American Citizen Services will be available (see contact number below).  In a statement to the press, the secretary of state confirmed that “several U.S. citizens were among those killed” in Sri Lanka attacks,

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Dec 21, 1988: PanAm103 Bombing #Lockerbie

December 21, 2018 By in Americans Abroad, EUR|Europe, Foreign Service, Memorial, State Department, Terrorism, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , ,

U.S. Embassy Bamako: Gunmen Storm Le Campement Kangaba Tourist Resort in Mali

June 18, 2017 By in AF |Africa, Americans Abroad, Consular Work, Diplomatic Security, Foreign Service, Realities of the FS, Security, Social Media, State Department, U.S. Missions Tags: , , ,

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Posted: 3:52 pm PT
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Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Bamako issued a security message concerning “a possible increased threat of attacks against Western diplomatic missions, places of worship, and other locations in Bamako where Westerners frequent.” (See Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Increased Threat of Attacks in Bamako (9 June, 2017).

On Sunday, June 18, gunmen reportedly attacked a tourist resort in Mali popular with Westerners.  According to BBC News, the gunmen have stormed the luxury resort Le Campement Kangaba, east of the capital Bamako.  The report citing the country’s security minister says that two people are dead, and that the hostages have been released. Two other people had reportedly been injured including a civilian, and that 32 guests had been rescued from the resort.

The U.S. Embassy in Mali says that the resort is 30 minutes southeast of the capital city. We understand that all our embassy folks are fine. State/OSAC is urging travelers in Mali to check in with their families and friends. See related posts below for previous security reports on this hotspot.

Related posts:

Suicide Attack at Istanbul Airport Kills 36, Wounds Many More

June 29, 2016 By in Americans Abroad, EUR|Europe, Foreign Policy, Realities of the FS, Security, Social Media, Terrorism, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , ,

Posted: 2:04 am ET
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The State Department has created a Crisis in Istanbul page to provide updates to American citizens for the terrorist attack at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul. Excerpt below:

Turkish media is reporting that possibly two or more explosive devices detonated at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport at approximately 10:15pm local time June 28, 2016. Police and anti-terror teams are currently at the scene and there is no official announcement on the reason of the explosion(s) or the exact number of wounded.  Entrance to and exit ‎from the Airport have been prohibited.  Flights have been suspended.  All direct flights from Istanbul to the United States had departed prior to the attack at the airport.  U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the area around the airport and to avoid any police action that may be taking place throughout the city.  Please check local media for the latest updates.  We strongly urge U.S. citizens in Turkey to directly contact concerned family members in the United States to advise them of your safety.

Earlier —

 

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Suicide Attack in Lahore’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park Kills 70, Injures 250 in Pakistan

March 28, 2016 By in Americans Abroad, Consular Work, Media, Realities of the FS, SCA | South Central Asia, Security, Social Media, Terrorism, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted: 1:08 am ET
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USCG Lahore released a emergency message on March 27 informing U.S. citizens that a suicide bomber killed at least 60 people outside of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park in Lahore’s Iqbal Town neighborhood in the evening hours of Sunday. It urged U.S. citizens to avoid this area and if aware of any U.S. citizens injured in this attack, to please call the American Embassy in Islamabad at 051 201 4000. Media reports say at least 70 people have now been confirmed dead and about 250 people have been wounded.

 

 

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Attacks on Grand-Bassam Beach Resorts Kill 16 People in Côte d’Ivoire

March 13, 2016 By in AF |Africa, Americans Abroad, Consular Work, Diplomatic Security, Foreign Service, Media, Realities of the FS, Security, Terrorism, Trends, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted: 7:17 pm EDT
Updated: March 14, 2:46 am EDT
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BBC News reports that Al-Qaeda-linked militants have killed at least 16 people in gun attacks on beach resorts in southern Ivory Coast. “The attackers fired on beach-goers in Grand Bassam, about 40km (25 miles) from the commercial capital Abidjan. The resort is popular with both locals and foreigners. Four of the dead were Westerners, including a French and a German national, officials say.”

 

The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan issued a couple of security messages. The first one dated March 13 with no timestamp says that the U.S. Embassy has received reports of gun shots in Grand Bassam and “advises American citizens in Côte d’Ivoire to defer travel to Grand Bassam and if you are there to shelter in place.”

The second security message also without a timestamp was issued subsequently saying that the embassy “is aware of an ‎attack in Grand-Bassam. ‎We refer you to the Cote d’Ivoire authorities for the most up-to-date information.” It also says that the embassy “advises U.S. citizens in Côte d’Ivoire to avoid any unnecessary travel until further notice.”

These messages are not on Twitter or Facebook. At 1:05 pm on March 13, Embassy Abidjan tweeted the following message, mirrored on its FB page:

 

Related items:

 

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#BurkinaFaso Attack: Gunmen Storms Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou

January 15, 2016 By in AF |Africa, Americans Abroad, Consular Work, Hostages, Terrorism, Trends, U.S. Missions Tags: , , ,

Posted: 6:52 pm EDT
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BBC is reporting that two car bombs went off outside the Splendid hotel at around 19:30 local time (same as GMT) in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. Masked men have reportedly stormed the Splendid Hotel, which is used by UN staff and westerners, witnesses said. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claims credit for ongoing attack and there are reportedly hostages according to media reports.

The French Embassy in Ouagadougou says that the incidents happened this evening around 20:30 at the Splendid Hotel, frequented by westerners.  The embassy notes on Twitter that the curfew has been extended from 11 pm to 6 am. It also says that an  Air France flight from Paris-Ouagadougou on Friday night was diverted to Niamey, Niger.

The U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou tweeted that it is aware of what is happening and that it is following closely the ongoing situation in downtown Ouagadougo. It has also instructed embassy personnel to avoid the downtown area.

 

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$400K Life Insurance Supplemental to Eligible Employees Killed in Terrorist Attacks

December 28, 2015 By in Americans Abroad, Compensation and Benefits, Congress, Foreign Service, Realities of the FS, State Department, Terrorism Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted: 2:27 am EDT
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We’re working our way through the‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016’’ which became Public Law No: 114-113 on December 18, 2015. Under Special Provisions, SEC . 7034 modifies the life insurance supplemental granted to those employees killed in terrorist attacks  (see p.522 of a pdf file or search text here):

(d) DIRECTIVES AND  AUTHORITIES .—

(5) MODIFICATION OF LIFE INSURANCE SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICABLE TO THOSE KILLED IN TERRORIST ATTACKS .—

(A) Section 415(a)(1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3975(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘a payment from the United States in an amount that, when added to the amount of the employee’s employer-provided group life insurance policy coverage (if any), equals $400,000’’ and inserting ‘‘a special payment of $400,000, which shall be in addition to any employer provided life insurance policy coverage’’.

(B) The insurance benefit under section 415 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3975), as amended by subparagraph (A), shall be applicable to eligible employees who die as a result of injuries sustained while on duty abroad because of an act of terrorism, as defined in section 140(d) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 (22 U.S.C. 2656f(d)), anytime on or after April 18, 1983.

Terrorism as defined under 22 U.S.C. 2656f(d)), read more here.

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan pay their respects and tribute to the 13 American civilian and 4 U.S. military personnel victims of the embassy bombing.

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan pay their respects and tribute to the 13 American civilian and 4 U.S. military personnel victims of the embassy bombing. (Photo via Wikipedia)

Here is 3 FAM 3653.1 last updated on February 26, 2015 (PDF) on the Life Insurance Supplement:

(1)  Foreign Service Employees. Section 415 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (“Section 415”) allows for payment of a life insurance supplement to any Foreign Service employee who dies from injuries sustained as a result of terrorism while on duty abroad; and

(2)  Other Employees and Unpaid Interns. The life insurance supplement provided under Section 415 is available to any other employee of the Department of State or other relevant agency (as “employee” is defined under 5 U.S.C. 8101, see 3 FAM 3652.1), including but not limited to an individual employed under a PSA or PSC pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2669(c) or an individual serving in an uncompensated capacity, who dies from injuries sustained as a result of terrorism while on duty abroad and subject to the authority of the chief of mission pursuant to Section 207

Currently, per 3 FAM 3653.3 Amounts Payable (PDF)
(b) Life Insurance Supplement:

(1)  Eligible employees, as defined in 3 FAM 3653.1(b), other than those described in paragraph (2) below, will receive from the employing agency a life insurance supplement payment under Section 415 in an amount that, when added to the amount of the employee’s employer-provided or employer-supported life insurance policy coverage (e.g., Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program or other policy partially funded by the employing agency), if any, equals $400,000; and

(2)  Employees compensated under LCPs, or individuals hired locally and serving in an uncompensated capacity, will receive from the employing agency a life insurance supplement payment under Section 415 in an amount that, when added to the amount of the employee’s employer- provided or employer-supported life insurance policy coverage, if any, is equivalent to two and a half years’ basic salary at the highest step of the highest grade on the employee’s LCP at the time of death (or, for locally employed individuals serving in an uncompensated capacity, the LCP governing the post in which the individual served), not to exceed the equivalent of $400,000.

The modification does not mention retroactive payments but note that it says injuries sustained while on duty abroad due to an act of terrorism, “anytime on or after April 18, 1983.”   That’s the date of the U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon suicide bombing that killed 63 people including 17 Americans.

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Related item:

3 FAM 3620 | FEDERAL EMPLOYEES GROUP LIFE INSURANCE (FEGLI) PROGRAM (PDF)

Multiple Terrorist Attacks Rock Central Paris, State of Emergency and Border Closures On

November 13, 2015 By in Consular Work, EUR|Europe, Foreign Service, Security, Social Media, Terrorism, U.S. Missions Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted: 8:51 pm PDT
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Paris has been rocked by a string of deadly attacks today, leaving reportedly 120 people dead in six or seven locations around the city. President François Hollande has declared a state of emergency, and has ordered all borders closed.
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The U.S. Embassy in Paris issued the following message concerning the multiple terrorist attacks in France:

November 13, 2015: The U.S. Embassy in Paris advises official U.S. personnel and U.S. citizens to shelter in place due to the terrorist attacks in the 10th and 11th arrondissements (districts) and the ongoing hostage situation at the Bataclan Theatre located at 50 Voltaire Boulevard in the 11th arrondissement.  U.S. citizens should heed local authorities and maintain security awareness.  France has declared a state of emergency which includes mobilization of security forces and closing its borders. People in France who are safe should be contacting family members. Anyone with travel plans should be contacting their airlines directly.

ParisEmergencyUSC@state.gov

1-888-407-4747 (From the United States and Canada)

+1-202-501-4444 (From all other countries)

@USAmbFrance is the official Twitter account of Jane D. Hartley, the U.S. Ambassador to France.
@USEmbassyFrance is the official Twitter account of US Embassy Paris.

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