Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Carnations are left at the site of Tuesday's explosion in Istanbul AP/Press Association Images
tourists killed

Irish people told to exercise caution in Turkey after yesterday's suicide attack

Yesterday’s IS suicide bomb killed 10 people in Istanbul – most of them German tourists.

Updated at 16:55pm

THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs has warned Irish people travelling to Turkey to exercise caution in the wake of yesterday’s suicide attack in Istanbul.

The department’s travel advice has been updated on its website, advising anyone travelling to Turkey to be careful.

“There has been an explosion the the Sultanahment area of Istanbul. Please follow instructions from security personnel if you are in the area,” a statement on the website reads.

In more general advice the department has said that the threat from terrorism in Turkey remains high:

If you’re planning a trip to Turkey, we advise you to exercise caution. The threat from terrorism in Turkey remains high.

Arrest

Meanwhile, Turkey said today it had arrested one person in connection with the deadly suicide bombing that ripped through the historic heart of Istanbul, killing 10 German tourists and raising alarm over security in the country.

Ankara has said that yesterday’s attack was carried out by a 28-year-old Syrian who belonged to the Islamic State (IS) group and had recently entered Turkey from Syria.

Turkish security forces over the last days also rounded up 74 suspected IS members across the country, state media said, but it was not clear if any were directly connected to the Istanbul bombing.

One person was arrested yesterday evening in connection with the bloodshed, Interior Minister Efkan Ala said on Wednesday, without explaining the suspect’s role in the strike.

“The investigation is continuing in a very intensive way,” Ala told a news conference in Istanbul alongside German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere.

Long accused of failing to crack down on IS, Turkey has in recent months moved against cells operating on its territory after several deadly attacks blamed on the group.

With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald

© – AFP, 2016

More: At least eight Germans among ten killed in Istanbul suicide blast

Your Voice
Readers Comments
58
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.