Foreign Office warns tourists of 'terrorist threat' in East Africa

British tourists are at increased risk of terrorism in several East African countries, the Foreign Office said yesterday. Visitors to Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti were advised to remain vigilant, particularly in public places such as bars, restaurants and nightclubs and shopping centres frequented by foreigners.

The Foreign Office said it had not advised against non-essential travel, meaning that some tour operators are unlikely to give refunds for cancelled holidays.

Security sources said they had continued to receive information that Westerners were at risk from terrorist attacks following a series of incidents in the region. In November last year 15 people were killed in an attack on a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya.

The updated travel warnings follow criticism after the Bali bombing, in which 26 Britons were killed, that Britain reacted more slowly than other countries in passing on intelligence about the risk to tourists. The Foreign Office said yesterday that there was a particular threat against Western interests in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and that Britons in remote areas could be kidnapped or attacked.

The large US military presence in Djibouti is considered likely to increase the likelihood of terrorist attacks against Western interests. British nationals in the country were advised to be especially vigilant near ports and military bases.