Europe

Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey and a number of terrorist groups remain active in the country.

Terrorist attacks are regularly carried out against the security forces in the south east of the country by the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Attacks consist of IED's and armed assaults and are carried out in both urban and rural areas. There are also occasional occurrences of violent public disorder in the region. The main provinces affected by PKK attacks are Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli. There is a high level of security activity in these provinces and you risk arrest if you fail to comply with restrictions. We advise against all but essential travel to these areas. There is also a significant level of PKK activity elsewhere in the south east of the country (Van, Bitlis, Bingol, Elazig, Mus, Batman, Erzincan, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Agri). Vigilance is advised when travelling in these areas.

PKK bomb attacks have also been carried out on government and civilian targets in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Adana, Izmir, Mersin and tourist resorts on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts (these have included Kusadasi, Cesme, Marmaris and Antalya, Manavgat). Devices have been placed in crowded areas, restaurants, refuge bins, outside banks and hotels and on dolmus mini-buses and trains. See attached map (below).

Map showing areas with a history of terrorist insurgency and attacks [PDF, 1MB].

(This map is presented for information only. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) accepts no responsibility for errors or omission of any geographical features. Please read the FCO travel advice text for more detailed information).

International terrorist groups, including Al Qaida, and indigenous networks inspired by religious extremism have also specifically targeted western interests in Turkey.  Extremists have also on occasion attacked Christian targets.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. We advise you to remain vigilant in all public areas across the country and report anything suspicious to the authorities. 

Significant Terrorist Incidents

• 27 July 2008 - 18 Turkish civilians were killed in a double IED attack in the Gungoren district of Istanbul.
  
• 9 July 2008 - 3 police officers and 3 terrorists were killed in an armed attack on the US Consulate in Istanbul.
  
• 8 July 2008 - 3 German nationals were kidnapped by the PKK on Mount Ararat. They were later released unharmed.
  
• 22 May 2007 - 11 civilians were killed by a PKK suicide bomber in the Ulus district of Ankara.
  
• 18 April 2007 - 3 Christian missionaries were murdered in the city of Malatya.
  
• 29 August 2006 - 10 UK nationals were injured by a PKK device placed on a dolmus mini-bus in the resort of Marmaris.
  
• 16 July 2005 - 5 persons, including 2 western nationals, were killed by a PKK device placed on a dolmus mini-bus in the resort of Kusadasi.
• 20 November 2003 - Al Qaida carried out vehicle-borne IED attacks on the British Consulate and the headquarters of HSBC in Istanbul, killing 33 people. This followed similar attacks on two synagogues in the city on 15 November, which killed 23 people.
  

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

 

Generally crime is low, but street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul.  You should be wary of approaches from strangers offering to change money or offering food and drink, which may be drugged.

 

In 2007 a high number sexual assaults, including rape, were reported to our Consular staff in Turkey. The majority of these cases occurred in coastal tourist areas visited by British nationals in South Western Turkey.   For more general information see Rape and Sexual Assault Abroad.

 

You are therefore advised to maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment.  If you are going to drink, know your limit.  Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.  We advise lone visitors, in particular, never to accept lifts from strangers or passing acquaintances at any time.

 

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad. 

Political Situation

Turkey Country Profile

Turkey is a stable democracy.  Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities.  You are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place.

Local Travel

Security Forces continue to enforce restrictions upon movement in areas bordering Iraq.  You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.

Road Travel

You should take particular care when travelling by road throughout Turkey, as road conditions can be poor. Road traffic accidents are common and are mainly due to either poor or reckless driving, particularly at night. According to the Turkish General Directorate of Security there were over 585,000 road traffic accidents in 2006 which resulted in 3,365 deaths at the scene and over 135,000 injuries.

If you wish to drive in Turkey, you are required to carry either an International Driving License issued in the UK or a notarised copy, in Turkish, of your Driving License.  Please note provisional driving licences are not recognised. An 'A' category standard motorcycle licence is required to hire motorcycles over 50cc in Turkey.  An 'A1' category 'light motorcycle' driving licence is only suitable for motorcycles below 50cc. It is against the law not to wear a helmet.

Contravention of the above could result in a heavy fine.

Do not drink and drive.  The Police will breathalyse drunk drivers, fine them on the spot (currently 448 YTL) and immediately confiscate their licence for six months.

 

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Rail Travel

The vast majority of train journeys in Turkey are trouble free.  However, there have been accidents.  On 22 July 2004, 38 people were killed and over 80 were injured when a high-speed train derailed on the line between Istanbul and Ankara. On 27 January 2007 nine people were killed and over 50 injured when a train derailed on the Istanbul to Denizli line near Kutahya.