U.S. urges citizens not to travel to Kyrgyzstan amid deadly demonstrations

April 10th, 2010 - 4:19 am ICT by BNO News  

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The U.S. State Department on Friday urged its citizens to defer travel to Kyrgyzstan as widespread anti-government demonstrations continue there.

The anti-government demonstrations began earlier this week and later toppled the government. At least 75 people were killed in the unrest, while hundreds more were injured, according to the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Health.

On Friday, the U.S. State Department issued a Travel Alert to alert its citizens to the situation in Kyrgyzstan. “We urge U.S. citizens to defer travel to Kyrgyzstan until the security situation improves, and alert U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Kyrgyzstan of the potential for further demonstrations,” it read. A Travel Alert is one step short of a Travel Warning.

The department said U.S. citizens in Kyrgyzstan should take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness and advised to maintain a high level of vigilance. “U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas of large gatherings and demonstrations, including peaceful demonstrations,” the alert read.

Further, U.S. citizens are urged to stay indoors, especially at night, to avoid becoming victims of opportunity. It said some roads in the city are sometimes blocked by large groups of people, and said looting and arson continues. Some U.S. Embassy personnel and their families have been temporarily relocated to the Manas Transit Center.

U.S. citizens who are unable to find a location they feel is safe to shelter in place may contact the Embassy at 996 (312) 551 241 for further information. U.S. citizens in the country are also encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/) so they can obtain updated information on travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek is located at 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016. Non-emergency e-mail messages about consular matters may be sent to consularbishkek@state.gov. For inquiries or after hours emergencies, call (996) (312) 551 241.

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