Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Foreign Office warns of further attacks

(Picture: FO)

Travel to Turkey remains 'high risk' after a failed military coup last week resulted in the deaths of more than 260 citizens.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises Britons against all travel 'within 10km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir'.

How many are affected? An estimated 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year.

Turkey is a popular tourist destination but the recent coup has raised question marks over safety of those traveling to the country.

A terror attack at Istanbul airport last month has also raised safety fears after suicide bombers killed at least 41 people and injured more than 200 when they detonated explosives and fired AK-47s at travellers.

Check the FCO's Turkey travel advice website for further updates.

MORE: At least 161 dead and 1,440 wounded in attempted military coup in Turkey

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Which airlines still fly to Turkey? Can I get a refund?

Aer Lingus is offering refunds to customers who have booked flights to Izmir.

British Airways cancelled flights after the coup, but have now resumed. Refunds can be requested if your flight was one of those cancelled.

Easyjet is continuing flights to Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Ismir for the moment but these are under review.

Monarch is still flying to Dalaman and Antalya but is again reviewing the routes.

Thomson initially allowed customers to cancel their flights and request refunds but have now resumed their flights as normal.

And all flights with Turkish Airlines have resumed – meaning no refunds.

Warning against all but essential travel to south-east Turkey

All but essential travel should be avoided to south-east Turkey, where the country shares a border with Syria.

The travel advise specifically says to avoid the city of Diyarbakir as well as the areas of Sirnak, mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Kilis, Hatay, Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari.

Advice states: 'Security force operations against the PKK and related groups are ongoing in the Sur district of Diyarbakir. The FCO advise against all travel to the city of Diyarbakir. Similar operations have taken place in Sirnak and Hakkari. You should take extreme care in these areas. See safety and security.'

Elsewhere, the advice is to remain vigilant

The FCO says: 'It's generally safe to travel but you should take additional safety precautions. You should be alert to your surroundings and remain vigilant in crowded places popular with tourists.'

Who is behind the terrorism threats?

The Foreign Office says the threat is from Kurdish terrorist groups and ISIS as well as far left organisations – with 'further attacks 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.'

Timeline of recent terror attacks in Turkey 12 January 2016 Suicide bomb attack against tourists in Sultanahmet in Istanbul in which 10 people died.

17 February 2016 Large bomb attack near a military barracks on Eskisehir Road in Ankara killed 28 people.

13 March 2016 Bomb attack killed over 30 people at Kizilay Square in central Ankara.

19 March 2016 Suicide bomb attack on tourists on Istiklal St in Istanbul killed 4 people.

27 April 2016 Suspected suicide bomb attack at Bursa Ulu Mosque. The bomber was killed and 7 people slightly injured.

1 May 2016 Bomb attack at the Central Police Station in Gaziantep killed two police officers and injured 23 others.

7 June 2016 Bomb attack in the Vezneciler area of Istanbul killed 7 police officers and 4 civilians. 36 people were injured.

28 June 2016 Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul was attacked. More than 30 people were killed.

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