The Foreign Office is still advising against all travel to parts of Turkey in its most recent update to its website. The FCDO last amended its webpage on July 25 before the recent earthquake, with a notification saying access to some e-sim services are restricted in Turkey.
Officials warn that there is a high threat of terrorist attacks globally affecting UK interests and British travellers abroad. They note that most terrorist attacks have taken place in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. Several of these terror episodes have involved knives, firearms and explosives.
The FCDO writes: “Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as: public buildings, places of worship, airports and large public gatherings – including major events, public holidays, religious occasions.”
In particular, officials warn travellers against all travel within 10 kilometres of the Turkey-Syria border.
“Extremist groups based in Syria, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, have the capacity to carry out attacks in Turkey,” they write. “Daesh has previously targeted border crossings and nearby locations on the Syrian side of the border.”
British visitors should also be on their guard for counterfeit alcohol, which has resulted in some deaths. Incidents have been reported across Turkey, including large cities like Ankara and Istanbul.
“People have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol,” the FCDO writes.
“There is a risk of methanol poisoning from home brewed alcohol or counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands.”
Travellers are urged to only buy alcohol from licensed stores and to avoid home-made beverages.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s north-west province of Balikesir on Sunday evening near the country’s biggest city – Istanbul. The earthquake killed at least one person and injured another 29 people, as well as flattening 16 buildings.
