Is it SAFE to travel to Turkey? Latest travel advice after the TERROR attack in Istanbul
A TERROR attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul has urged the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to warn British tourists in Turkey to remain vigilant.
Kurdish militants has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place late on Saturday night after the Besiktas and Bursaspor clash.
A car bomb, believed to have been targeting a police riot bus outside the Vodafone Arena - home to Istabul’s Besiktas football team - exploded.
Less than a minute later a second suicide bomb attack took place in ad adjacent park.
According to some reports the two blasts were followed by gunfire close to Taksim Square.
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Most terrorist attacks have taken place in the south and east of the country and in Ankara and Istanbul
According to the FCO the terror threat remains high in Turkey.
The office has advised against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir.
It also advises against all but essential travel to the “remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis, Diyarbiakir, and Hatay provinces.
The FCO wrote on its website: “Most terrorist attacks have taken place in the south and east of the country and in Ankara and Istanbul.
“Attacks are most likely to target the Turkish state, civilians and demonstrations.
“Nevertheless, it’s likely that some attacks will also target western interests and tourists from western countries, particularly in the major cities.”
The FCO has urged British tourists to take “additional safety precautions” and to “be alert to your surroundings”.
People should “remain vigilant in crowded places popular with tourists”.
The FCO has also warned travellers that is some busy areas, especially Istanbul, “Turkish authorities are stopping members of the public to conduct ID checks”.
It wrote on their website: “There’s a larger than usual number of police checkpoints on main roads across Turkey.
“You should co-operate with officials conducting checks and keep your passport and a printed copy of your e-Visa or residence permit with you at all times.”
Travellers hold also monitor media reported and follow advice from local security authorities.
