News
Is it safe to travel to Thailand and is Bangkok airport open? Latest advice after Myanmar earthquake
A7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar at midday local time on 28 March, sending violent tremors across Thailand and as far as China.
The jolt caused a skyscraper to crumble in the Thai capital Bangkok, causing three deaths and leaving 81 people still missing under the rubble.
European governments have updated their travel advice for tourists in Thailand and with upcoming trips. Here’s what you need to know about safety and travel insurance.
State of emergency declared in six regions in Myanmar
The earthquake, whose epicentre was near the city of Mandalay in Myanmar, has caused dozens of buildings to collapse. Its shallow depth of 10 metres amplified the ground-level impact.
A 6.4 magnitude aftershock was also felt 12 minutes later near the city, the US Geological Survey reported, with tremors being felt as far away as Laos, Bangladesh and China.
Footage reportedly filmed inside Mandalay airport shows people running through dust-filled hallways and huddled on the floor outside the building for safety.
In the town of Taungoo in Myanmar, the partial collapse of a mosque killed two people, according to Reuters.
Local media reports that at least two people have died and 20 have been injured after a hotel crumbled in Aungban in the south of the country.

A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by authorities. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
There are likely many more casualties across the country, but its volatile political situation under a military-run government means journalists have restricted access and reports from the ground are difficult to verify.
A state of emergency has been declared in six regions and states in Myanmar by authorities.
In Bangkok, the tower block that came down was under construction. A rescue worker said seven people had been found alive but 81 people are still missing.
Authorities have reportedly received 169 calls about damage to buildings in the Thai capital. It has been declared a ‘disaster area’.
Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and hotels, while there are reports of water sloshing out of swimming pools in several parts of the city.
Is it safe to travel to Thailand?
Thailand is a tourism hotspot which is seeing a spike in visitors after the HBO series The White Lotus was set in a resort in the country.
After the earthquake rocked the capital Bangkok, urban rail and metro systems were temporarily closed and are expected to resume services on Saturday.
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was briefly shut down in the immediate aftermath but has now reopened, with flights operating normally. Thailand’s other major airports have not experienced disruption.
Local authorities have advised the public to avoid high-rise buildings, which crowd the densely populated city.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.

Hundreds of residents and tourists have been evacuated to the streets from high-rise buildings and hotels Associated Press
“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” it urges travellers.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has updated its security status for Thailand to ‘high degree of caution’.
“We encourage citizens to follow the instructions of local authorities in the event of an emergency,” it has said.
There is also ongoing advice (unrelated to the earthquake) from the FCDO against all but essential travel to parts of south Thailand near the Thailand-Malaysia border.
This includes the Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces and the southern Songkhla Province south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.
FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces. This is due to regular attacks in these areas by the border with Malaysia.
Is it safe to travel to Myanmar?
The FCDO has also issued updated advice for travellers in Myanmar, stating that the epicentre is in the Sagaing region near Mandalay, but other areas may also be affected.
“Mandalay airport is reportedly closed. There may be several strong after-shocks.
“If you’re in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.”
Am I covered by travel insurance if I go ahead with my trip to Thailand?
The UK foreign office warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. This means going to areas where it advises against all but essential travel.
As it has not issued a ‘no-go’ warning for earthquake-affected zones, you are not automatically entitled to a refund if you cancel your trip – referred to as ‘disinclination to travel’.
Reimbursement is only likely if your flight is cancelled by the airline or your accommodation is closed due to the earthquake.
If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options.
“If you are travelling to Thailand over the next few days, speak to your airline or travel operator in the first instance. It may be that some regions of Thailand will be deemed unsafe to travel, in which case airlines will cancel flights, but disruption is likely to be localised so it will depend on which region you are travelling to,” says Ernesto Suarez, CEO of travel insurance providers Gigasure.
“When disruption is caused by natural disasters or circumstances outside of an airline’s control, passengers are normally allowed to change their booking, but you may not be entitled to any additional compensation.
Some insurance policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents travellers from reaching their holiday destination. You should read the terms and conditions carefully and talk to your provider for advice.
News
Police Arrest Pastor, Islamic Cleric And One Other Over Possession Of Human Parts In Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended three suspects, including a pastor and an Islamic cleric, for allegedly possessing human body parts in Ibadan.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on 24th March, 2026.
According to the PPRO, a patrol team intercepted an unregistered motorcycle and arrested the rider.
Upon searching the pillion, a package containing human intestine was recovered.
The suspect confessed that he had obtained the items from an unknown individual and sells them to one Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo.
Onaolapo and Ayodele were subsequently tracked and arrested.
The duo confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public of a recent arrest involving the unlawful possession and sale of suspected human parts in Ibadan, highlighting the Command’s commitment to proactive policing and the protection of lives and public health,” the statement read
“In line with its proactive measures to rid the state of criminal activities, the Command routinely conducts stop-and-search operations, which serve as a key strategy for detecting and preventing illegal acts before they escalate.
“It was during one such operation along Adekile area of Agugu that a patrol team intercepted an unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
“During a search of the pillion, the rider was apprehended on the spot, and a package containing flesh suspected to be human parts (intestine) was recovered.
“Following this discovery, the apprehended pillion rider, identified as Oyategbe Joseph, male, of Ibadan, was interrogated.
“He confessed that he had obtained the suspected human parts from an unknown individual at Oritaperin area and further admitted to selling the items to two persons: Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo, male, aged 46 years, and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo, male, aged 55 years.
“Acting promptly on this intelligence, the Command swiftly apprehended Alfa Onaolapo Taiwo and Pastor Ayodele Taiwo and brought them to the station for interrogation.
“Both suspects confessed to purchasing the suspected human parts from Oyategbe Joseph.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.
“Upon the conclusion of investigations, all suspects will be charged to court.
“As a result of these coordinated actions, all three suspects are currently in police custody, and the Command reassures the public that every necessary measure is being taken to ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
“In conclusion, the Oyo State Police Command appeals to members of the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report any information regarding the possession or sale of human parts to the nearest police station or security agency, emphasizing that community cooperation remains critical in maintaining law and order.”
News
12-Year-Old Boy Arrested for S£xually Ass@ulting Woman In Her 60s And Leaving Her With Serious Injuries
A12-year-old boy has appeared in a UK court after he was accused of s£xually ass@ulting a woman in her 60s, leaving her seriously injured.
The woman was found in a property north of Birmingham city centre at around 6.15pm on March 18, bleeding heavily from several wounds and barely conscious, a court heard on Tuesday.
The woman was lying on the floor, n@ked apart from a t-shirt, with cuts to her chest and face, prosecutor Colin Charvill told Birmingham Youth Court.
She remains in hospital in a serious condition, having been placed in an induced coma.
A boy aged 12 has been charged with segxwal assault and wounding, as well as an offence of theft on the same day and intentional strangulation in relation to an alleged incident on February 11.
The defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in court today where he indicated pleas of not guilty to all of the charges.
He was remanded to youth detention accommodation by District Judge David Murray ahead of an appearance at Birmingham Crown Court on April 21.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: ‘Our enquiries remain ongoing, but we understand how concerning this will be within the community.
‘Our officers will be continuing to provide reassurance in the local area.
‘If anyone has any information regarding suspicious behavior on 18 March or in the days leading up to last Wednesday, details can be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal or via 101 quoting log 4888 of 18 March.’
News
Christian And Muslim Women Unite To Form Vigilante Group In Jos, Patrol Streets At Night To Combat Crime (Video)
Amid growing insecurity and its escalating effects on local communities, a group of women in Jos has established an all-female vigilante group to tackle violence, theft, and drug-related crimes in the area.
The initiative, highlighted in a Reuters feature on Tuesday, brings together women who say they were compelled to act following what they described as repeated failures of government security promises.
According to members, the group was created as a grassroots effort to contribute to the safety and stability of their communities.
Armed with little more than whips and identification cards, the women patrol neighbourhoods and confront suspected drug dealers and petty criminals. Despite limited resources, they say their presence has begun to yield results.
“We have been able to help reduce thefts, taking of drugs and other vices,” Blessing Ngozi Emmanuel, identified as the group’s leader, was quoted as saying.
The vigilante team currently comprises about 20 women from both Muslim and Christian backgrounds, reflecting a rare show of unity across religious lines in a region often marked by tension.
They conduct nightly patrols between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., focusing on areas they consider most vulnerable to crime.
However, their work has not come without risks. Some members have reportedly been injured during operations, while others have received threats.
One member said she was warned that she could be made to “disappear” if she continued her involvement.
Despite these dangers, the women insist their mission is strictly to support community security, not to replace formal law enforcement.
They also expressed frustration over the lack of official recognition or support, noting that it was only weeks ago that local government officials visited them, despite months of active operations.
The emergence of the group underscores the worsening security situation in Plateau State, where incidents of violence, abduction, and communal attacks have persisted.
Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported the abduction of a senior cleric of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
The cleric was reportedly taken by unknown gunmen from his residence in Farin Gida, Jos. The incident was confirmed by a source at the church’s headquarters, while a message circulated on its official WhatsApp platform urged members to pray for his safety and swift release.
Jos is not the only part of Plateau grappling with insecurity. In February, survivors recounted how suspected Berom militias allegedly intercepted a commercial vehicle in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, dragged out five trader-passengers, and k!lled them.
The attack reportedly occurred along the Nding axis, just hours after seven people were said to have been k!lled in Ratatis community, Dorowa Babuje, by suspected armed bandits.
One survivor, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, a resident of Gangare in Jos North Local Government Area, described how the victims, identified as Hausa traders travelling to Pankshin for business, were stopped and attacked.
Against this backdrop of persistent violence, the women-led vigilante group in Jos represents both a response to insecurity and a reflection of growing public frustration over gaps in official protection.
Promises by the government to ensure safer communities have failed to materialise with many k!lled, kidnapped from time to time.
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