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Istanbul ânot safeâ for Britons
Britons have been warned against making all but the most essential travel to Istanbul following Thursdayâs blasts. The British Consulate and the HSBC bank headquarters in the city were hit in a series of explosions which killed at least 25 people and injured 400. British Consul-General Roger Short is among those missing. Witnesses reported seeing a van driving straight at the consulate building before the explosion. UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said it was clear a number of Britons had died. At least 14 people are reported to have been killed at the consulate. Britons were recommended not to travel to Istanbul unless on "essential business" but Foreign Office advice for the rest of Turkey has not changed. The Foreign Office said there was "a significant threat from terrorism in Turkey". In a statement to the foreign secretary the Queen said she was "deeply shocked" to hear of the attacks. "Please pass my deepest sympathy to all caught up in these evil acts of terrorism", she said. "My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved and injured and those still waiting for news". A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents said there were thought to be less than 100 UK tourists in Istanbul at the moment. Millions of Britons visit Turkey every year but most tend to go to coastal resorts, such as Bodrum, which are many miles from Istanbul. Murat, be sure to wave your countryâs tourist economy a cheery goodbye. British Airways, which operates twice-daily return flights between London and Istanbul held its 1010 GMT Istanbul-bound flight from Heathrow for 30 minutes while considering the situation. Eventually BA decided the flight should leave and it has decided flights would continue for the time being. But a BA spokeswoman told BBC News Online the airline would continually review their position in light of the situation. The Foreign Office, in advice posted on its website on Thursday, said: "We advise against all but the most essential travel to Istanbul, until the situation becomes clearer. "Until further notice, the British Consulate in Istanbul will not be able to provide the full range of services." (That has to rank as understatement of the month.) It goes on to say: "We urge you to be vigilant in all parts of the country, and especially in the vicinity of potential terrorist targets." Tony Blair has said the bombings in Istanbul reminded everybody of the "evil" terrorists posed to innocent people all over the world. President Bush, in London on a state visit, also condemned the attacks. Mr Blair said Britain must "stand side by side with the United States, and others, to rid our world of this evil once and for all". He expressed his condolences to all those who had died in Istanbul. BBC correspondent Steve Bryant said the emergency services in Istanbul were struggling to get to grips with the aftermath of the explosions, which happened almost simultaneously. He said eyewitness reports suggested a car, laden with explosives, rammed the main gate of the consulate and caused "devastation", destroying a building. The British Ambassor to Turkey, Peter Westmacott, is en route from Ankara to Istanbul. The Metropolitan Police is sending a number of officers from the Anti-Terrorist Squad to Istanbul to help with the investigation. HSBC issued a statement which said: "Two HSBC buildings have been struck by the bomb blasts across the city, including our head office in Levent. "It is with deep regret that we have to confirm that there have been a number of fatalities. Our thoughts are with the bereaved, the injured and their families." The British consulate in Istanbul was previously targeted in April when an explosive device was thrown at the building. Murat, who did that - was it Americans, Brits or Jews? You must have strong suspicions, at least. Also in April, three small devices exploded in the town of Izmir, one of which was near the British consulate. Arenât you in or near Izmir, Murat? You ought to know which Western agents were resonsible then. Posted by: Bulldog 2003-11-20 |
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