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Travel Advice from International SOS and Control Risks Following 12 May Earthquake in Nepal
Singapore
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck at around 12:50 (local time) on 12 May, around 52 miles (83km) north-east of the capital Kathmandu. Six strong aftershocks have since occurred near the epicentre of the initial tremor. Information is still emerging on the extent of damage and affected areas.
Grant Strudwick, Regional Security Director, Asia-Pacific, at International SOS and Control Risks, provides the following information regarding travel conditions in and around Nepal:
“Travellers should note that while Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and airports near Everest base camp are open to commercial flights, there is currently a high demand for seats on flights departing Nepal.”
International SOS and Control Risks can help clients with bookings on commercial flights, as well as arrange charter flights via Dubai or Delhi. Charter flights will require clearance, which is currently granted on a limited basis and often require diplomatic approval.
Clients are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Kathmandu valley and districts in Central and Western regions that have sustained significant damage to infrastructure from recent earthquakes. International SOS and Control Risks highly recommend anyone that does intend to travel to Nepal at this time receive a full pre-travel brief on medical and safety preparations and have a support plan in place to ensure they can complete their trip.
Strudwick adds:
“Travellers in and around the earthquake-affected areas should confirm their routes are clear, and that support is available for any additional incidents that may occur, such as further aftershocks, landslides and blocked roads.”
For assistance or travel safety information due to the recent earthquakes, clients are encouraged to contact an International SOS Assistance Centre. Detailed and regularly updated travel safety information is available at our Member Zone and via the International SOS Assistance App.
About International SOS and Control Risks
Our alliance brings together two of the world’s leading medical and security specialists, International SOS and Control Risks. Our combined resources and expertise are well placed to meet the customers’ growing need for integrated travel security risk services. Our solutions ensure that mobile employees are safe and productive and help employers with their duty of care obligations. 50 dedicated experts, located across the globe with access to over 200 dedicated travel security experts through 26 regional Assistance Centres and a partner network of over 700 accredited providers, produce global travel security information and analysis 24/7. We also provide travel security training, preventative travel assessment, support with the development of travel security risk policies, evacuation plans and the latest technology to enable clients to track and communicate with their mobile employees.
