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Travel Warnings for Madagascar After Europeans Are Killed
After Killings, Tourists Told To Avoid Madagascar
(about 5 hours later)
johannesburg — Several Western countries issued travel warnings about the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar on Friday, citing mob attacks that killed two Europeans and a Madagascan who were accused of organ trafficking.
JOHANNESBURG — Several Western countries issued travel warnings about the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar on Friday, citing mob attacks that killed two Europeans and a Madagascan accused of organ trafficking.
The three men were killed after a boy’s body was found mutilated on a beach on the island of Nosy Be, which sits just off the northwest coast of Madagascar, off Africa’s southeastern coast. Residents alleged that the boy had been killed by foreigners seeking to harvest his organs, according to news reports in Madagascar. The two Europeans were tortured and their bodies were set on fire, local officials said.
The three men were killed after a boy’s body was found mutilated on a beach on the island of Nosy Be, just northwest of Madagascar, which is off Africa’s southeastern coast. Residents asserted that the boy had been killed by foreigners seeking to harvest his organs, according to news reports in Madagascar. The two Europeans were tortured and their bodies were set on fire, local officials said.
“Rioters launched a manhunt and killed the Europeans,” Gen. Guy Randriamaro Bobin, deputy commander of the country’s paramilitary police, told Agence-France Presse.
Tourism is a mainstay of Madagascar’s economy. More than 250,000 visitors come yearly to see the unique flora and fauna, which include highly endangered lemurs, lush tropical forests and exotic spice plantations.
Tourism is a mainstay of Madagascar’s economy. More than 250,000 visitors come every year to see the country’s unique flora and fauna, which includes highly endangered lemurs, lush tropical forests and exotic spice plantations.
The killings were another blow to a country struggling to emerge from decades of intermittent political turmoil. Presidential elections are set to take place this month, the first since a former D.J. and mayor, Andry Rajoelina, toppled President Marc Ravalomanana in a military-backed coup in 2009. Both men and other leading political figures are barred from running in what many hope will be a fresh start.
The killings were another blow to a country struggling to emerge from decades of intermittent political turmoil. Presidential elections are set to take place this month, the first since a former D.J. and mayor, Andry Rajoelina, toppled President Marc Ravalomanana in a military-backed coup in 2009. Both men and other leading political figures are barred from running in what many hope will be a fresh start for Madagascar.
The turmoil prompted a warning from the United States mission in the capital, Antananarivo. “Arson, looting and the mob killing of two foreign suspects held in police custody have also been reported,” it said. “Those intending to travel to Nosy Be are advised to strongly consider deferring until authorities are able to re-establish order.”
The fresh turmoil prompted a warning from the United States mission in the capital, Antananarivo.
An official from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Friday that two French people, one of whom had dual French and Italian citizenship, were among the dead. He said the third victim was a local man.
“Arson, looting and the mob killing of two foreign suspects held in police custody have also been reported,” the statement said. “Those intending to travel to Nosy Be are advised to strongly consider deferring until authorities are able to re-establish order.”
French authorities have advised tourists, as well as the nearly 25,000 French citizens who live there, to exercise caution.
An official from the French ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Friday that two French nationals, one of whom had dual French and Italian citizenship, were among the dead. He said the third victim was a local man.
Madagascar is a popular tourist destination among the French, and French authorities have advised tourists as well as the nearly 25,000 French nationals who live there, to exercise caution and to avoid travelling at night.
It warned that with the coming first-round presidential elections, security risks could increase.
Nosy Be, an idyllic beach destination, is one of the country’s most popular attractions, but widespread sex tourism and exploitation of children has led to tensions with local residents. Anger at perceived lax policing has been the impetus for vigilante attacks on suspected criminals there according to local and foreign reports.
