Indonesia issues travel advisory for Belgium – Politics

“We [the Foreign Ministry] have issued a travel advisory and it has been published on the ministry’s website. We issued the travel warning for Indonesian citizens [wanting to visit Belgium],” Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said in Jakarta on Thursday.

The minister said the government issued the travel advice after recent terror attacks in several locations in Brussels, followed by the Belgian government’s decision to increase the country’s security alert level. At least 34 people died in explosions at Brussels airport and a subway station on Tuesday morning.

Three Indonesian citizens were reportedly injured in the incident. “The ministry has identified the victims as a mother and her son [aged 6] and daughter [aged 4]. They are currently receiving intensive treatment at University Hospital Leuven,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Armanatha Nasir.

In the travel advisory, the government calls on all Indonesian citizens currently in Belgium, especially Brussels, to remain vigilant and avoid places with high risk of becoming a terror target. Furthermore, all Indonesian citizens are reminded to follow the directives of local authorities, ensure their personal safety and pay close attention to their surroundings.

The government has also urged all Indonesian citizens who plan to visit Brussels to consider the importance of their travel and, if possible, postpone their departure. Those who continue with plans to travel to Belgium, the government says, should first seek comprehensive information about the security situation in their destination.

The Indonesian Embassy in Brussels reported that security conditions in the city remained at level 4, the highest alert level. Zaventem International Airport will remain closed until Friday while subway services have been reduced.

The Indonesian Embassy in Brussels has opened hotlines on +32 478957214 or +32 478405728 for Indonesian citizens who are in Belgium and need assistance or further information. The Belgian government’s official Crisis Centre can be accessed at crisiscentrum.be or centredecrise.be, along with a hotline +32 78151771. (sha/ebf)