#Istanbul : Turkey was hit by another attack when a triple suicide bombing took place at Istanbul’s main international airport on Tuesdaynight, leaving 36 dead and as many as 150 injured in a suspected Isil attack.CCTV captures moment bomb detonates inside Istanbul airport Play! 00:47
The Foreign Office is warning travellers in the area to follow the advice of the local security forces.
“Attacks are likely to target the Turkish state, civilians and demonstrations. Nevertheless, it’s increasingly likely that some attacks will also target western interests and tourists from western countries, particularly in the major cities, as was the case in Istanbul on 12 January and 19 March 2016. To date most attacks in Turkey have taken place in the south and east of the country and in Ankara and Istanbul. There is a heightened risk of terrorist attack against the aviation industry in Turkey,” the FCO warns.
The bombing at Istanbul airport is the latest in a string of attacks that has hit Turkey in recent months. The country is in the midst of a terrorism crisis concerning both the Islamic State and Kurdish militants, the PKK, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan having recently said it is the “top target for all terrorist groups in the region”.
Are flights resuming at Istanbul airport?
Flights seem to be resuming gradually at the airport, but travellers are advised to speak to their airline for the latest updates.
“Please follow the Travel Advice [section] for further updates. Flights to and from Ataturk International Airport are resuming gradually. Speak to your carrier for updated travel information before travelling to the airport,” the FCO said on its website.
Know your rights: how to get compensation from your airline Play! 01:55
Several international arrivals from major cities, including flights from London Heathrow, New York, Rome and Berlin, have been delayed, while several others, including from London Gatwick, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels, have been cancelled. See the flight information atataturkairport.com.
Turkish Airlines, the airport’s largest airline, which operates flights Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh, said: “Flight operations have been restarted. In order to avoid further difficulties, we kindly ask you to follow up your actual flight information through flight status service at our Official Website www.turkishairlines.com.”
Who can I contact for help?
If you’re in Istanbul and you urgently need help (eg if you’ve been attacked, arrested or lost your passport), call the British Consulate in Istanbul 00 90 212 334 6400 (Meşrutiyet Caddesi 34, Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu; open Mon-Fri, 8.30am-1am; 1.45pm-4.45pm).
For emergency services, dial 112 (ambulance) or 110 (fire) or 155 (police).
The British Embassy in Ankara can be contacted at 00 90 312 455 3344.
The main tourist office can be reached at 00 90 212 518 8754 (goturkey.com; Divan Yolu 3, Sultanahmet).
If you’re in the UK and concerned about a British national in Istanbul, call 020 7008 1500.
For more information, see gov.uk/government/british-
What is being done to prevent terrorism?
Ataturk International Airport is reported to have a tighter security system in place than most other airports around the world, where travellers are required to undergo two security screenings: one before entering the international terminal and one after they pass through passport control.
In the tourist magnet of Istanbul, all museums have airport type security x-ray scanners for bags and so do shopping malls. Mosques – such as, the Blue Mosque – one of Istanbul’s most famous historic buildings in the Sultanahmet district – however, are not said to have any security scanners. But the Turkish government told the FCO that there has been increased security in cities since January’s suicide bombing.
“Turkish authorities have successfully disrupted attack planning in the recent past. The Turkish authorities have said that security has been tightened in response to recent attacks. Nevertheless, further attacks are likely, could be indiscriminate and may target or affect places visited by foreigners,” the FCO said.
In March, the German government closed its embassy in Anakara and consulate in Istanbul, citing intelligence suggesting another attack. Similarly, the US embassy warned its citizens of a potential attack in the city.
Credit: © Eric Nathan / Alamy Stock Photo/Eric Nathan / Alamy Stock Photo
Turkey says it is taking action against terrorists. The Turkish prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, recently said: “No centre of terrorism will reach its aim with such monstrous attacks. Our struggle will continue with the same resolution and determination until terrorism ends completely.”
How risky is it to travel to Turkey?
More than 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year and it is generally safe to travel but the FCO warns “the threat from terrorism remains high” and advises “you should take additional safety precautions. You should be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places popular with tourists.”
“Terrorist groups, including Kurdish groups, Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) and far left organisations, continue to plan and carry out attacks. Further attacks are likely. Terrorist groups, including Daesh and the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), have publicly threatened to attack tourist sites in Turkey. You should take extra care in public places – particularly those visited by foreigners. Be vigilant, follow the advice of local security authorities, monitor media reports and keep up to date with this travel advice,” the Government body said.
The FCO currently advises against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir, where security force operations against the PKK and related groups are ongoing in the Sur district of Diyarbakir. The Government body advises against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Kilis and Hatay provinces Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari. By Agencies,
Leave a Reply