Latest news with #CommonwealthandDevelopmentOffice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Man shot in Mexico 'in wrong place at wrong time'
A 36-year-old UK man killed in Mexico was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" an inquest has heard. Ben Corser from St Just in Cornwall was shot alongside two of his friends while they were sitting in a car outside a supermarket in Colima on 24 May 2022. The inquest at Cornwall Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday police in Mexico had recorded a report from a witness but had been unable to find the gunman. Assistant coroner Emma Hillson found Mr Corser had died as a result of unlawful act manslaughter and unlawful killing. Mr Corser's family told the inquest he and friends Claudio and Alfredo had driven to a supermarket in the city and had been shot as they sat in the car, at about 18:40. "It is most likely that this was a question of Ben and Claudio and Alfredo being tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time," the family said. The inquest heard Mr Corser had been found unconscious at the scene and had been taken to the regional university hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, at 22:00. The post-mortem recorded he had sustained chest wounds consistent with "a projectile shot by a firearm" and a bullet had been found. The inquest heard homicide police officers in Colima had recorded a witness to the incident who said she had heard gunshots and thrown herself to the ground. She told them she had seen a closed white van with the driver's door open but she had not seen who was in the vehicle. Mrs Hillson said the Mexican police told her it had gathered footage from a surveillance camera at the scene which had shown a grey vehicle but that no further characteristics, including model and registration number, had been visible. She said police had confirmed its homicide investigation was continuing but on 4 June the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had said "it is unlikely further information would be forthcoming because of the amount of time passed since the death". Ms Hillson said as three years had passed since Mr Corser's death she agreed with the FCDO. She gave her condolences to Mr Corser's family and friends and said: "It is incredibly difficult to wait this time and have no more evidence since then and it be unlikely to have more." Mr Corser's family said: "If there ever is a conclusion drawn by the Mexican authorities as to why and by whom he was killed, that is little consequence to his family because Ben lives on in all of our hearts and in many other ways." More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Family tribute to UK traveller shot dead in Mexico Cornwall Coroner
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Travel expert says 'set up alerts' as FCDO warns against popular country
Travel expert says 'set up alerts' as FCDO warns against popular country The Foreign Office has advised against all travel Carrizalillo beach, on the Mexican Pacific coast A tropical storm, Storm Erick, is set to hit parts of Mexico on Wednesday, June 18, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is now advising against all travel to affected areas - from Puerto Angel in Oaxaca to Punta Maldonado in Guerrero. Half a million UK tourists visit Mexico each year and Oaxaca is a popular destination thanks to its beaches and resorts Travel insurance expert Alicia Hempsted from MoneySuperMarket said: 'Most standard travel insurance policies include clauses that exclude coverage if you travel to a destination where the FCDO advises against travel, even if you're not aware of a change to FCDO advice. 'You can set up alerts for the country that you're planning to visit, so that you can stay up to date with any government safety warnings. You can do so by visiting the FCDO website. 'Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can leave holidaymakers facing increased delays, travel disruption and cancellations. Travellers who are affected should check their travel insurance policy documents to see if they are eligible for compensation due to natural disasters. 'Travel insurance policies that include natural disaster cover will generally cover you for cancelled accommodation, travel and activities in the event of a natural disaster, as well as emergency medical care and evacuation should you need it. Under UK and Mexico regulations, airlines are not required to compensate you for delayed or cancelled flights in 'extraordinary circumstances', which include disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis. 'If your flight, however, is delayed because of this, your airline has an obligation to offer food, drink and accommodation depending on the length of your delay.' Article continues below 'If extreme conditions are forecasted before you book or leave for your trip, and you choose to travel regardless, your insurance provider may not cover you for any related problems. 'Buying your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip can ensure you are protected against the unexpected. Check your policy terms before buying your insurance, as some travel insurance providers may not cover you as standard in the event of a natural disaster. 'Be aware that if your policy includes natural disaster cover, this will only be paid out if the FCDO warns against anything other than essential travel. If your plans are impacted by a disaster, contact your insurance and airline as soon as you can.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
Foreign Office issues travel warning for holiday hotspot as storm becomes hurricane
Tropical Storm Erick is forecast to become a hurricane and the government has advised against travel to parts of Mexico Tourists have been issued with a Foreign Office travel warning for parts of Mexico as Tropical Storm Erick is now forecast to become a hurricane. It's expected the storm, which is gaining strength around the Pacific Coast of the country, will develop into a hurricane today (June 18). Mexico attracts upwards of 500,000 tourists every year making the country one of the largest tourism markets. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is advising against travel to parts of the country. And they said travel insurance may be invalidated if the advice is ignored. Tropical Storm Erick is currently 430 miles south-east of Punta Maldonado in Mexico. A hurricane watch is in effect for the Pacific coast from Bahia De Huatulco to Punta Maldonado. Heavy rain is forecast to affect Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and southern Veracruz, reports the Mirror. Forecasters said Erick was moving west-north-east at 12 miles per hour and will move closer to Mexico's coastline by late Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour being reported on Tuesday. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned Britons that their travel insurance could be rendered invalid if they fail to adhere to the advice issued. The FCDO's website issued the following warning: "Tropical Storm Erick is expected to make landfall on the pacific coast on 17 June with heavy rains affecting Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and the south of Veracruz. "It is expected to gain strength and become a Category 2 hurricane by the afternoon of 18 June affecting an area along the southern pacific coast from Puerto Angel in Oaxaca to Punta Maldonado in Guerrero." The FCDO has warned: "You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including any evacuation orders.", reports the Express. "See the tropical cyclones page for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm. "In the aftermath of a hurricane, there can be flooding, high winds and continued rainfall." The government had previously issued a warning about possible hurricanes in the country which happen at this time of the year. It said: "The hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Tropical storms and hurricanes cause floods, landslides and disruption to local services, including transport networks. "After a hurricane there can still be continued flooding, high winds and rainfall. Monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including evacuation orders." Hurricane season starts on June 1 and in 2023, Hurricane Otis was a category five which devastated Acapulco, Mexico.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Boy, 3, dies after falling into garden pool while trying to reach water toys
Three-year-old Dion Robbins died on Saturday after accidentally drowning as he tried to retrieve his toys from the pool in the garden of his home. He was pronounced dead at the scene A little boy tragically died in an accidental drowning just weeks before his fourth birthday. Dion Robbins died at his home on Saturday after falling into the pool in his garden as he was trying to gather his toys. Police were called to the home in an outer Darwin suburb in Australia at around 3.30pm after the tot was found unresponsive in his backyard. He was pulled out of the water and received CPR, but it was too late. Emergency services continued CPR but Dion was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say investigations are ongoing and that a report will be prepared for the coroner. His family have now shared their heartbreak over their sudden loss. Dion's aunt Sue Longstaff, who started a GoFundMe to help them pay for funeral costs, described Dion as "adventurous" and said that what happened was a "family's worst nightmare." "There are no words to describe the pain of his loss, he was weeks away from celebrating (his) fourth birthday," Ms Longstaff told She continued: "Three-year old Dion, a happy go lucky adventurous little boy used a stool to reach the pool latch and let himself in to collect some toys and unfortunately fell into the pool." The fundraiser has so far achieved more than $9,000. According to figures from 2023-24, the Northern Territory has the highest rate of drownings in Australia. The tragedy comes after several drownings in New South Wales over the Easter weekend. A nine-year-old boy drowned after getting trapped between rocks at a beach at South West Rocks, about 400 kilometres north of Sydney. Emergency crews retrieved the boy, named Kaison Greaves, but he had died at the scene. He had been playing by the rocks with other children before he became trapped when the tide came in. Witnesses said the boy was comforted in his final moments, as his father had been able to hold his hand as he died. Kaison's father, David, said the family was heartbroken by the loss. He said: "He was an adventurer, strong-willed and incredibly funny, and always had a cheeky grin." The youngster became the seventh person to drown over the weekend, following a strong swell washing people into the ocean. Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving in New South Wales, told the Sydney Morning Herald: "It has just been horrendous on a weekend that's supposed to be joyous and religious." Meanwhile, a four-year-old British boy died at a hotel swimming pool in Tenerife last month. The horror unfolded in the resort town of San Miguel de Abona on the Golf del Sur. The hotel lifeguard pulled the boy out of the water but he was unresponsive. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British child who has died in Spain, and are in touch with the local authorities.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Travel warning as Tropical Storm Erick set to become hurricane on UK hotspot
The UK government has issued a new travel warning against all travel to parts of Mexico as Tropical Storm Erick has taken shape off the southern coast of the country A fresh UK government travel warning has been issued for parts of Mexico due to Tropical Storm Erick which is forecast to develop into a hurricane by the afternoon of June 18th. Erick is currently south-east of Punta Maldonado in Mexico and is expected to intensify into a hurricane with forecasters warning it could make landfall on Mexico's Pacific coast. Heavy rain is forecast to affect Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and southern Veracruz, and a hurricane watch has been issued for the Pacific coast. Forecasters said Erick was moving west-north-east at 12 miles per hour and will move closer to Mexico's coastline by late Wednesday with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour being reported on Tuesday. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned Britons that their travel insurance could be rendered invalid if they fail to adhere to the advice issued. The FCDO's website issued the following warning: "Tropical Storm Erick is expected to make landfall on the pacific coast on 17 June with heavy rains affecting Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and the south of Veracruz. "It is expected to gain strength and become a Category 2 hurricane by the afternoon of 18 June affecting an area along the southern pacific coast from Puerto Angel in Oaxaca to Punta Maldonado in Guerrero." The FCDO has warned: "You should closely monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including any evacuation orders.", reports the Express. "See the tropical cyclones page for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm. "In the aftermath of a hurricane, there can be flooding, high winds and continued rainfall." A previous warning states: "The hurricane season in Mexico normally runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Tropical storms and hurricanes cause floods, landslides and disruption to local services, including transport networks. "After a hurricane there can still be continued flooding, high winds and rainfall. Monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including evacuation orders."
