Saturday 16 July 2016

Britain Foreign Office advises Britons in Turkey to stay indoors

Turkish armies are standing guard at Takism Square in Istanbul following the attempted coup



Britons in Turkey are being "strongly" advised to stay indoors after at least 90 people died in an attempted coup, the Foreign Office has said.
Some flights to Turkey have been diverted or cancelled and those due to travel should check with their airline or tour operator, it said.
Alev Scott, a British-Turkish writer, heard gunfire in Istanbul's Taksim Square and low-flying jets, while Rhonda Jones, on holiday in Marmaris, described hearing gunfire in the streets and a "small explosion".
Officials in Turkey say 1,500 soldiers have been arrested.
British nationals in Turkey can contact the Foreign Office on 020 7008 0000.
More than 2.5 million Britons visit Turkey every year.
In Istanbul, gunfire was heard and military vehicles blocked key bridges and access to the airport, while military jets flew over the capital Ankara.
In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry said the coup attempt "was foiled by the Turkish people in unity and solidarity. Our president and government are in charge".
'Remain vigilant'
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted that he was "very concerned" by the events in Turkey and said the Embassy was "monitoring the situation closely".
The updated Foreign Office advice said: "Large-scale military action is ongoing in Turkey, and a state of martial law is in effect.
"There are widespread reports of gunfire and explosions in Ankara and Istanbul, and the military has been deployed to the streets...
"We strongly advise you to stay indoors, avoid public places, in particular demonstrations, and remain vigilant."
It said the bridges across the Bosphorus in Istanbul and the road between Marmaris and Icmeler are closed.
Gunfire has been reported between the resorts of Marmaris and Icmeler, it said.
Witness Ms Scott, said: "I was watching things from my terrace, watching the military vehicles on the Bosphorus Bridge and then these sonic booms started.
"It was actually quite scary so I went down into my flat just keeping away from the windows which had all blown open."
Ms Jones, a player for Rangers Ladies football club, posted a video on Twitter of cars and scooters filling the streets in a procession loudly beeping their horns.
She described hearing "gunfire exchanged up and down the street in Marmaris" and "a small explosion".
Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson tweeted that he had spoken to Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and underlined the UK's "support for the democratic elected government and institutions".
In a statement, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry urged "calm and restraint".
She said: "There is no excuse on any side for violence or abuse of human rights, and we would urge all parties to engage with the international community to preserve peace and democracy, and resolve this situation.
"In particular, we urge all those in a position of authority to reassure Britons and other foreign nationals currently visiting Turkey that they are safe, and will be allowed to return home without impediment at the earliest opportunity."
A spokeswoman for the UK's largest travel association, ABTA, said travellers should follow Foreign Office advice.
The Association of British Insurers said travellers should be able to transfer travel insurance to the new destination if alternative arrangements are made by those booked to travel to Turkey.
British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Turkey on Saturday and flight BA675 departing from Istanbul on Sunday. It said the situation will be kept "under review".

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