Security Message for U.S. Citizens – Security Incident

United States Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Security Message for U.S. Citizens

Security Incident

March 17, 2017

According to local press reports, on Friday, March 17 at approximately 1:30pm, an individual climbed over a fence onto Bangladesh Police Rapid Action Battalion’s proposed new headquarters compound (about 200 meters east of Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport). Initial reports indicate that when challenged by police, a bomb that the individual was carrying exploded.

Traffic in the area is currently normal and police are increasing security at the airport. Please review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

For further information:

· See the State Department’s travel website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html) for the Worldwide Caution (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html) , Travel Warnings (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/bangladesh-travel-warning.html) , Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information (https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/bangladesh.html) .

· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (https://step.state.gov/step/) (STEP (https://step.state.gov/step/) ) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

· Contact the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka (https://bd.usembassy.gov/) , Bangladesh, located at Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1212, at (88) (02) 5566-2000, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Weekends and After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is (88) (02) 5566-2000 and press “0” and ask for the duty officer.

· Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

· Follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/travelgov) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/travelgov) .