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Zanzibar terror threat warning


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LONDON, England -- Britain has warned of an "increased terror threat" in Tanzania and advised its citizens to be careful when travelling to the east African country.

"We have received information that an international terrorist group may be planning an attack on the island of Zanzibar," the warning from the Foreign Office reads.

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Tourists on Zanzibar were warned to take particular care in public places.

"We believe that Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, is one of a number of countries in east Africa and the Horn of Africa where there may be an increased terrorist threat," the warning reads.

"British nationals in Tanzania, and especially in Zanzibar, should be vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, markets, bars and nightclubs."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman refused to give specific details of the threat, the UK Press Association said.

The British warning follows a similar message from the United States last week warning its citizens to be on alert in public places such as markets, bars and nightclubs in Zanzibar, Reuters reported.

Australia advised its nationals in December to exercise "extreme caution" in Tanzania, especially in Zanzibar.

Eight people were killed when terrorists attacked the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam in August 1998.

In neighbouring Kenya, 15 people died in a bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa on November 28, 2002.

Terrorists made an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane on the same day.

The Foreign Office did not go so far as to advise Britons to leave the country.

The spokeswoman said: "The assessment that most visits to Tanzania are trouble free remains in force."



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