The Foreign Office has issued a new warning to UK tourists travelling to or already in Turkey, as protests and demonstrations are currently taking place in the country
Holidaymakers jetting off to Turkey or already soaking up the sun in the country have been slapped with a fresh warning.
The Foreign Office sounded the alarm today (March 24), cautioning that demonstrations and protests are currently erupting in Istanbul and other Turkish cities. The travel experts warn: “demonstrations may become violent. The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) dishes out travel advice to help Brits make informed decisions about travel and holidaying, focusing on safety and security, and flagging potential risks and how to stay safe abroad.
The FCDO’s advice to UK tourists in Turkey is clear: “avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted.”
Unrest began in Istanbul last Wednesday when the city’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained on corruption charges.
Imamoglu was Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political opponent.
Thousands of people gathered as protests escalated on Sunday night, with protesters fired on with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Imamoglu, also suspended from his post as mayor, said the allegations against him were politically motivated, a claim denied by Erdogan. Despite being in custody, Imamoglu was confirmed on Monday as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for Turkey’s 2028 presidential election.
The Turkish government said 1,133 people had been arrested since the protests started, according to figures released before Monday evening’s gatherings.
The FCDO added: “Events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and in locations across Turkey. Large demonstrations continue to occur outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.”
The UK government body also stresses: “FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the Turkey-Syria border.”
If you’re jetting off to Turkey, make sure your passport’s got at least 150 days left after you land and a spare page for stamps, or you’ll be turned away faster than you can say “holiday blues”. Don’t even think about rocking up with a dodgy travel doc or one that’s been nicked.
Meanwhile, the government’s dropped a fresh travel alert for Turkey this February. The Foreign Office has dished out a stark warning: “In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.”
They’re telling worried wanderers to hit up their holiday reps or Turkish bigwigs for advice.
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