Holidaymakers in the Maldives have been told to remain on high alert following an update to the Australian Government’s official travel advice.
Australians are among the largest groups of visitors to the tropical paradise with over 30,000 travelling to the island nation in 2023 alone.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website on Thursday raised its advisory for the Indian Ocean tourism magnet to Level 2: Exercise a High Degree of Caution.
It cited the risk of ‘civil unrest and the ongoing threat of terrorism’.
‘Terrorism can occur anywhere in the Maldives at any time,’ the update continued.
‘Potential targets include government institutions and areas frequented by tourists.’
Travellers are being advised to remain vigilant, avoid large gatherings and crowded places and to stay up to date by monitoring local media.
The heightened warning follows a series of security incidents in recent years.
SmartTraveller has urged Aussie travellers to exercise high degree of caution in the Maldives
In February 2020, a stabbing attack in the island of Hulhumalé left three foreign nationals injured, including an Australian.
That same year, a police speedboat was targeted by an arson attack in Laamu Gan, and in May 2021, an improvised explosive device detonated in the capital, Malé, injuring a prominent politician and several bystanders.
Smartraveller has also issued several other warnings for those planning a trip to the Maldives, particularly around civil unrest and general safety risks.
Protests, drug-related and gang-related violence is also known to occur in Greater Malé and other non-resort islands.
Even if the demonstrations appear calm, Smartraveller advises avoiding these gatherings and keeping up to date with official advice.
Petty crime is another concern.
Theft can occur on beaches and in hotel rooms, including at resorts, so travellers should take precautions and secure their valuables.
Australia is not the only country to issue a warning to travellers.
The United Kingdom has issued a similar terror warning, raised in April this year (stock image)
In April, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for British nationals visiting the Maldives.
The FCDO also emphasised that ‘there is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals’.
The advisory said that ‘terrorist attacks in Maldives cannot be ruled out’ and may occur indiscriminately, including in areas frequented by tourists.
Officials also noted that global tensions, particularly from the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, have contributed to an elevated risk environment, with terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida and Daesh actively calling for attacks in response.
