Emergency Message to U.S. Citizens (June 12,2012)
EMERGENCY MESSAGE TO U.S. CITIZENS
U.S. Embassy Tunis
June 12, 2012
Throughout the evening of June 11 and the early morning of June 12, 2012, Tunisian police clashed with groups of rioters in the northern suburbs of Tunis, including Carthage, La Marsa, Sidi Bou Said, and areas near Gammarth. Sporadic gunfire and the use of tear gas, but no casualties, were reported. As of 10:00 a.m. June 12, 2012, the situation in these areas was calm.
The U.S. Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly, and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse. U.S. citizens should review the current Travel Alert and the Country Specific Information for Tunisia.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts and Country Specific Information can be found.
In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook or download our free Smart Traveler App for travel information at your fingertips. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
All U.S. citizens in Tunisia are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Tunis is located at Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis. For emergencies after business hours and on weekends and holidays, U.S. citizens can contact the Embassy Duty Officer via the Embassy switchboard at 216-71-107-000.