THERE are now 24 countries off limits to tourists in the UK, as the Foreign Office warns travelers could be detained – or worse.
Eight destinations have been added this year to the list of places considered “very dangerous” for Brits.
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Brits’ travel insurance may not be valid if they visit a destination against UK government advice – and consular support may be “severely limited” as some countries do not have a British Embassy.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to places such as Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali and Niger.
But travel to North Korea, Gaza, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen is also banned.
Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Belarus and Gaza have all been added to the list of no-go zones this year.
Dual British and British-Iranian nationals are at “significant risk” of arbitrary arrest, interrogation or detention in Iran, the FCDO said.
The Foreign Office stated: “Having a British passport may be reason enough for Iranian authorities to question you.
“If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.”
The Foreign Office advises Britons against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats associated with the invasion of Ukraine, which include security incidents such as drone strikes and “explosions”.
The FCDO said: “There is also a high likelihood that terrorists will attempt to carry out attacks, including in large cities.”
All travel to most of Ukraine is also banned as Russian missile and drone attacks continue to cause significant damage to residential areas, injuring and killing civilians.
Britons should also avoid traveling to Belarus, where Russian military operations are taking place, as there is “some risk” that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine could spread to the country.
The warnings against travel to all parts of Israel, Lebanon and Gaza come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The Palestinian militant group Hamas unleashed terror in southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing around 1,200 people and dragging 250 hostages back to the besieged Gaza enclave.
Israel is now preparing to launch a full-scale invasion of the already devastated Palestinian city of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, to exterminate the Hamas militants it claims are hiding there.
Hamas continues to fire rockets at Israel.
The Foreign Ministry stated: “There are continued exchanges of rockets and small arms fire over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence in Israel and the OPTs (Occupied Palestinian Territories) , including the West Bank.”
It added that the “rapidly evolving situation” presents significant risks and has the potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning.
All travel to Sudan is effectively banned for Brits due to the ongoing military conflict in the country.
The FCDO noted that the UK is no longer evacuating people from Sudan and cannot offer advice on the safety of traveling to any potential departure point, stating: “Any travel options you choose will be taken at your own risk. ”.
Brits traveling to other banned countries face other threats to their safety and lives.
Travel in Afghanistan is “extremely dangerous” and British citizens face a “high risk of being detained”, which could lead to them being detained for months or years.
There is no British Embassy in the country, so the FCDO cannot provide assistance in person and the British government may not be informed if a British person is arrested.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
