What are the issues affecting travelers to Germany? Read the latest travel warnings and alerts.
Photo © Getty Images/Ventura Carmona
Berlin Christmas Market Attack - 19th December 2016
A truck plowed into a crowded Christmas market in Breitscheidplatz, in the German capital Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring 56 others. The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Force has tweeted that the terror group ISIS was taking credit for the incident.
Munich terror attack - July 22nd 2016
At least nine people are dead and a dozen wounded in what Munich police are describing as a suspected terrorist attack and a "shooting rampage" near the Olympia Shopping Center in the Moosach district.
As of this writing, no suspects are in custody - it's been reported there were possibly three attackers - and a massive manhunt is underway. A state of emergency has been declared and authorities are urging residents to not leave their homes. Train and bus service has been suspended and Munich's mainline railway station has been closed.
This is the second suspected terror attack in the Bavaria region this week. On Monday an axe and knife-wielding teenager injured a number of people on a train. He was eventually shot and killed by police.
Am I covered for a terrorist attack?
If you are injured in a terrorist attack your medical costs and medical evacuation (if required) are covered by your policy.
Access to the benefits of cancellation and trip interruption depends on your country of residence, so check out the information here. If you are a World Nomads policyholder check the wording on your policy. If you are not a World Nomads policyholder the policy wording is accessible after you get a quote (no obligation to purchase), but remember, you will not be covered for this incident if you purchase the policy after it has occurred, but you'll be covered for future unrelated events.
Anyone, policyholder or not, is welcome to call the customer assistance teams and discuss coverage.
In the meantime, World Nomads is urging travelers to retain perspective on terror events, and understand that the chance of being a victim is extremely small. In fact, you are statistically four times more likely to be hit by lightning.
Don't confuse the possibility of a terror attack with the probability of being involved in one.
Remember there are psychological reasons why you may feel uncertain about travel; we're more afraid of events that are gruesome, unpredictable and unfamiliar. We feel less fear about everyday dangers such as heart attack, auto accidents or skin cancer - all of which are much more likely to kill you.
However, there are actions you can take to further lessen the likelihood you will become a victim. These include carefully considering the security around large-scale, easily accessible, public events. If at all possible get yourself inside a secure area at any event. This may mean a ticketed event, or a secure area set up by organizers. Inside such an area, like being behind the security checkpoint at an airport, is the safest option.
Alternatively, if you stay in a publicly accessible area, stay away from the heaviest concentration of crowds, keep to the fringes where the sheer number of people presents less of a target and there is the option of making a quick escape if trouble should occur.
Worldwide 24-hour emergency assistance
Need assistance? Find the emergency contact telephone number for you.
So we can best assist you, please be ready with the following:
- Your policy number
- A contact number for where you are now
- The nature of your problem
- If you are ill or injured we will need details of medical consultations you have had
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