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In the early morning hours on Thursday, May 28, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Central America, most directly affecting Honduras. The popular dive islands of Roatan and Utila were closest to the epicenter.
Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) stands ready to lend assistance to those in the area as well as those preparing to travel to it.
News stories are reporting varying degrees of damage, including local hotels, an airport, bridges and a potable water source, though specific damages have not yet been named for specific areas. DAN is working with Business Members and contacts in the affected areas to try and determine the extent of the damage; however, DAN advises all travelers planning a trip to the area to monitor the situation closely and contact intended destinations to obtain current and accurate information.
DAN Members can also access the Worldcue® Planner Real-Time Travel Intelligence® Resource, a benefit automatically included with DAN Membership. Worldcue provides users with real-time information on travel destinations, including updates on the Honduran earthquake situation.
For DAN Members already in affected areas, call the DAN 24-Hour Diving Emergency Hotline (+1-919-684-4326) if medical or travel assistance is needed. DAN can help facilitate medical care and the execution of another DAN membership benefit, TravelAssist®. Use the hotline for any individual assistance required as a result of the earthquake; a diving element is not required. If you need help, call DAN.
DAN is endeavoring to call Business Members in the affected areas; however, if immediate business assistance is needed, please call the Business Membership team at +1-877-532-6776.
If you are a traveler with DAN Trip Insurance and have questions about coverage your policy might offer in this situation, please call +1-800-446-2671 or contact Travel Guard directly per the contact information included with your policy.
Although Honduras is reportedly the area most directly affected by the earthquake, the shocks were felt in other popular dive destinations as well. DAN recommends that any travel to the Central America region be tracked either through Worldcue or direct contact with the intended destination.
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