Democratic Republic of Congo

Dozens Killed and Injured Following Train Derailment in Kasai Occidental Province
At least 24 people were killed and 31 injured in a derailment of a freight train near the settlement of Benaleka located in the Kasai-Occidental province. Local rail authorities have stated that the majority of the passengers were stowaways. Several train carriages have fallen into the Luembe River. Local authorities have suspended search operations for the moment due to lack of sufficient lighting. Such accidents are very common due to the deteriorating infrastructure.

Central African Republic

Armed Attacks Leave Multiple Fatalities in Basse-Kotto Prefecture
Violent clashes took place between local vigilante groups and former Seleka rebels in Basse-Kotto prefecture. It is indicated that 18 people were killed and 40 others were wounded following attacks on five villages in the Zangba area of the prefecture. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission Force in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has since urged armed groups to cease hostilities and respect the terms of the Khartoum Peace Agreement signed in Bangui on 6 February.

 

Burkina Faso

Scores Killed in Ethnic Clashes near Arbinda in Soum Province
The number of people believed to have been killed in inter-communal clashes in the commune of Arbinda in Soum province has risen to 62. Nine people have also reportedly been kidnapped. Armed individuals reportedly entered the village of Hamkan and murdered a village leader and his relatives, leading to the clashes between communities in several surrounding villages. Government officials reported that 30 people had died as a result of the communal conflicts between different ethnic tribes and that militants operating in the region had capitalised on the situation and killed a further 32. Local religious leaders have called for calm amongst the communities and additional security personnel have been deployed to the region.

 

South Africa

Port St. Johns Evacuated Due to Flooding, Mudslides Reported
Heavy rains have forced thousands of evacuations in Port St. Johns in Eastern Province due to flooding. Emerging social media sources report mudslides that have forced road closures between Port St. John’s and Mthatha. Disaster management teams are reportedly in place to assist with evacuations.

Paraguay

Officials Announce 90-Day Emergency Declaration Following Prolonged Flooding in AsuncionThe Paraguayan government has enacted a 90-day emergency after continued rain has caused widespread flooding in the capital, Asuncion. The National Emergency Minister, Joaquin Roa, declared the emergency after water levels in the Paraguay River and its tributaries have risen in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by the floodwaters, which are expected to continue to rise in the upcoming days. Road closures and evacuations are expected to increase as the water levels rise.

United States

Fatalities Confirmed after ‘Severe’ Tornado Hits Monroe County, Mississippi
At least two people have died after a ‘severe’ tornado hit Monroe County, Mississippi. First responders have reported that a number of homes have been damaged due to the tornado, and there is an unknown number of injured. The tornado comes as a dangerous ‘supercell’ travels through a number of states, including Mississippi and Alabama. The supercell has the potential to cause a number of severe tornadoes, so those in the immediate area should monitor its progress until further notice.

Mexico

Multiple Fatalities Reported following Armed Attack In Minatitlan, Veracruz State
At least 13 people were killed in an attack by several gunmen at a children’s party in the municipality of Minatitlan in Veracruz State. The gunmen were seeking an owner of a local bar at the party. After they failed to find them they opened fire. Most of the victims were women and children. The six gunmen are suspected of being enforcers of a drug cartel. The two main cartels operating in Veracruz are Los Zetas and their main rivals the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Local security forces are conducting operations in the area.

Lybia

Emerging Reports of LNA Airstrike at Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport
Aircraft operated by the Libya National Army (LNA) have conducted at least one airstrike in the immediate vicinity of Mitiga International Airport (MJI). The extent of damage caused by the strike, in addition to any information regarding injuries or fatalities, is unavailable at this time. Early and unverified reports suggest that flights to and from the airport have been suspended and the passenger terminal has been evacuated. This development comes during fighting between the LNA and forces loyal to the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) as the LNA seeks to take control of the city. At least 25 people and 80 others have been wounded as a result of these clashes.

Syria

Multiple Civilians Reported Killed in Regime Bombings in Idlib, Hama and Aleppo Provinces
A war monitoring organisation has stated that shelling by Syrian government forces in parts of northwest Syria has killed 17 civilians. Several incidents occurred in parts of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo provinces, in a region that is supposedly subject to a ceasefire agreement brokered between Turkey and Russia in September 2018. The northwest is the last main enclave for anti-government forces, but is also home to around 3 million refugees.

 

Afghanistan

Several Suspected Taliban Fighters Killed Following Operations in Arghanj Khwa District, Badakhshan Province
14 suspected Taliban fighters were killed and seven more injured following operations by Afghan security forces in Arghanj Khwa District located in Badakhshan Province. The operation was conducted in order to retake the district from the Taliban who occupied it last week. The district is the first in Badakhshan Province to fall to the Taliban this year although nearby Kohistan, Warduj and Yumgan districts were previously in the Taliban’s possession in 2018.

Northern Ireland, UK

Police Treat Shooting as Terrorist Incident as Woman Shot Dead in Derry and Petrol Bombs Thrown at Police Vehicles
An incident is being treated as a terrorist incident following the death of a 29-year-old woman. Reports state that, in a clash between unknown assailants and police, petrol bombs were thrown at security service vehicles and a woman shot dead, with police now launching a murder enquiry. The circumstances that led to the confrontation are currently unclear, however, security operations are reportedly still underway in the area.

 

Italy

Dozens Injured as Trains Collide in Como Province
Over 50 passengers have been injured after two trains collided head-on at low speed between Arosio and Merone on the Como-Lecce line in Como province. Most of the injuries are believed to be minor, although at least four people are said to be in a serious condition. The exact cause of the collision is not confirmed, although some reports suggest one train ran a red signal. Emergency responders are currently on the scene.

England, UK

Police Issue Warning following a Number of Random but Linked Stabbings in Edmonton, London
The police have issued a warning to the public in London, following a number of random but linked stabbings in Edmonton, London. Police have said the four victims were alone at the time and stabbed from behind without warning. While some details remain unknown, it is believed one of the victims was stabbed at Seven Sisters tube station, and another in the Brettenham Road area of N18. Of the four victims, two are in hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but two are currently in hospital with life-threatening/changing injuries.

Ukraine

Several Injured in Shooting in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast~
Three people were injured in a shooting which occurred in the centre of the city of Kamianske located in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. One of the injured was a known political activist and is thought to have been the target of the shooting. The two other victims were female passers-by. The attackers shot at the activist from a vehicle and sped away shortly after. Attacks, especially on activists involved in investigations into corruption, often occur in central and southern parts in Ukraine.

Pakistan

Multiple Fatalities Reported following Attack on Passenger Bus in Balochistan Province
14 people have been killed after militant insurgents pulled them out of a passenger bus and shot them dead in Balochistan province. The incident happened on the Makran Coast highway in the Ormara area of Gwadar district. At least two people managed to flee from the gunmen. No group have claimed responsibility for the attack. Further information is awaited.

China

Dozens of Fatalities following Explosion at Chemical Company in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province
At least 47 people have been killed, and a further 640 injured, following an explosion at the Tianjiayi Chemical Company pesticide plant in the Chenjigang Industrial Park in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. The resultant fire from the blast spread to neighbouring factories and was finally brought under control a day later. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, however reports indicate the company produces more than 30 organic chemical compounds, some of which are highly flammable, and it has previously been cited and fined for work safety violations.

Indonesia

Scores Killed and Thousands Displaced following Flash Floods and Landslides in Papua Province
There has been an increase in casualty figures following the recent flooding and landslides in Papua province, Indonesia. Reports now indicate at least 104 people have died, a further 160 injured and 79 are still missing. At least 11,000 people have also been displaced with hundreds of houses severely damaged and several roads and bridges damaged too. The worst affected area was identified as the region around the provincial capital Jayapura, particularly Sentani. Emergency services have been deployed to help clear blocked roads and continue search and rescue operations.

 

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Global Incident Report – May 2019
By: Drum Cussac

Drum Cussac is a global security consultancy responsible for ensuring the safety of more than 15 million lives across hundreds of organisations on a daily basis. Our Intelligence and Analysis Services team specialises in providing in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and a comprehensive global source network. Web: www.drum-cussac.com