Travellers have been warned of potential delays and cancellations from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport after an attack that left 42 dead and 239 injured.
Triple-explosions hit the international gateway yesterday when three attackers arrived in a taxi, began firing at the entrance and then detonated bombs strapped to their chests.
Around 60 emergency vehicles were called to the scene to collect 239 injured people, 41 of which are now in intensive care, BBC News reported.
Following the attack, flights to and from the airport were temporarily suspended but resumed at around 3.00am local time.
Services continue to operate today, however, travellers have been warned to check for cancellations and delays.
Ataturk Airport’s flight updates show at least six cancelled international departures for today and around three cancelled international arrivals. Several overseas flights arriving into the gateway are also delayed between 15 minutes to over 40 minutes.
On the ocean, cruise lines have begun cancelling calls in Istanbul, including Celebrity Cruises, which has moved two of its vessels out of Istanbul and over to Piraeus, Greece for the next five months. Seabourn has also changed Seabourn Odyssey‘s forthcoming Istanbul departure to Piraeus.
For those with upcoming trips to Turkey, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised travellers to exercise a ‘high degree of caution’ in Turkey overall, but to ‘reconsider their need to travel’ to Istanbul.
According to the government organisation, there’s a “high level of risk” in travelling to Istanbul as well as Turkey’s capital, Ankara.
“If you do travel, do your research and take a range of extra safety precautions, including having contingency plans.”
DFAT
Travel Insurance Direct (TID) Travel Safety Expert, Phil Sylvester, added that Aussies travelling to Turkey should avoid main tourism centres and forgo sightseeing as a precaution.
“If you’re going to go to Istanbul regardless stay alert, avoid crowded public spaces/tourist attractions where possible and stay away from government buildings and military installations.”
Phil Sylvester, Travel Insurance Direct (TID) Travel Safety Expert
Sylvester also urged holidaymakers to check-in quickly and to consider spending their vacation at a resort along the Mediterranean Coast.
“So far they are free from trouble so far,” he explained. “I would have no qualms about taking my kids there.”
Featured image: BBC News
