The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has updated its advice for British travellers in Tanzania, warning against all but essential travel to the destination.
It follows three days of protests last week in which hundreds of people are believed to have been killed, after last Wednesday’s (29 October) general election. The death toll is estimated at between 500 and 700.
The FCDO changed its travel advice yesterday. Later it added another update, warning Brits in the country of protests and disruption to services and supplies.
It explained its decision to warn against travel to Tanzania by saying: “This is due to disruption and unrest following the national election on 29 October. This has led to shortages of food, fuel and cash which have been compounded by a lack of internet services.”
A curfew between 6pm and 6am local time is in place and there are ‘widespread road blockades and closures nationwide’, the FCDO said.
It added: “Some international and domestic flights have been cancelled. There are no ferries running from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. The SGR rail service is also not running. Check with your airline or travel provider for the latest information before travelling to airports or other transport hubs.
“There are fuel, cash and water access challenges across the country. Some supermarkets are running low on food supplies due to the closure of Dar es Salaam port. Public hospitals are reporting shortage of medical supplies.”
The FCDO has told British travellers to limit movements, adhere to curfews, monitor local media, follow the advice of local authorities and stay away from demonstrations, rallies and large crowds.
