Warning after Istanbul bombings

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has stopped short of advising travellers not to visit Turkey after two large bombs exploded in Istanbul at the weekend. The terror group al-Qa’eda has reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing of two mosques, which left 23 dead and more than 300 injured. The attacks took place at two synagogues on Saturday morning, and though Jewish worshippers were killed, the cast majority of victims were Turkish Muslims. The FCO site, at www.fco.gov.uk/travel, states: “There is a continuing risk from international terrorism in Turkey, as well as a potentially growing risk from domestic terrorism. Although the vast majority of visits to Turkey remain trouble-free, we urge you to be vigilant in all parts of Turkey. “You should maintain a high level of vigilance while in the country. You should also be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, in all countries of the world, against civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites; and of the risk that chemical and biological material may be used.”