Editorial: braving bombs in bathing suits

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

Incredible indeed how Estonians, serene and eager, are heading towards holidays in a region warned against by our foreign ministry citing significant terror threat, while same level warnings have been issued by other EU states. Among those polled by Postimees, some snapped up the last moment tickets. According to one travel agency, folks have lined up for the final flight – should some opt out, replacements are on swift standby.

There are many states who warn against certain destinations with much smaller threats in the air, than Estonia does. The Estonian foreign ministry is not probe to sound just-in-case alarms. The more so, the warnings given should be taken seriously.

The foreign ministry warnings are based on intelligence data of our own and provided by partner states, and on analysis of it. One doesn’t have to be a security expert to understand: the sunny skies and lack of explosions is not enough, nowadays, to decide there’d surely be no bombs going off the next minute. Terror organisations active in the area, and the knowledge of tourists and tourism sites being their target, is clear and explicit information. The more so that bombs have been discovered already, in the tourism areas.

To that backdrop, the claims by tourism companies that they have placating information by having own guy (travel guide?) on location sounds totally absurd. Ordinary citizens saying that there’s no need to worry – «our acquaintances on these beaches are having a wonderful time» – makes one groan inside, over the naiveté. But with professional travel agents saying the same, that’s far worse. It’s one thing to risk big personally, another matter altogether to advise others to do that – with economic gain in mind. 

Definitely, an ordinary citizen will not be more adequate at risk assessment than intelligence and foreign ministry – warnings by professionals to avoid certain destinations are to be taken seriously.

A smart-alecky reader may now ask: in our editorial, yesterday, we praised Estonia for going to the Central African mission, but now … The difference being: Estonian soldiers head for the operation trained, equipped and in armoured vehicles. With a task. Our tourists, in their turn, voluntarily fly to danger zone in swimsuits, with the additional protection of sunglasses and tanning lotion. 

Hopefully, they’ll all be home soon, safe and sound. Still, such massive scorn towards those who warn is simply stupid.