Poles advised to be cautious after Turkey coup attempt
PR dla Zagranicy
Alicja Baczyńska
16.07.2016 10:33
The Polish foreign ministry has appealed to Poles in Ankara and Istanbul to remain calm and exercise a high degree of caution after a section of the military attempted to overthrow the Turkish government.
People occupy a tank in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July 2016. Turkish Prime Minister Yildirim reportedly said that the Turkish military was involved in an attempted coup d'etat. The Turkish military meanwhile stated it had taken over control. Photo: EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU
Some 90 people were killed in clashes that broke out across Turkey after a faction of the army attempted to take over the country on Friday night, state-run news agency Anadolu reported on Saturday. Over 1,500 pro-coup military personnel were arrested by Turkish authorities.
No Polish national was hurt in the events, the Polish foreign ministry said. There are up to 10,000 Poles currently in Turkey, according to official statistics.
Polish authorities have advised Poles to avoid public gatherings and follow the instructions of local law enforcement, said ministry spokesman Rafał Sobczak.
"Our diplomatic and consular services are monitoring the situation," Sobczak said on Friday night. "We are now awaiting a more detailed account from the Turkish authorities due to conflicting information coming to us from Turkey. What is of key importance is that our compatriots in Ankara and Istanbul remain calm," he added.
"Our president and government are in charge," Turkey’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, announced on Saturday morning. Tensions, however, are still running high, media report.
Poland’s foreign ministry has warned Polish tourists not to travel to the country until stability is restored.
All of Turkey’s border crossings have been closed, a statement issued on the ministry’s website says. (aba)
Source: IAR, PAP Anadolu, Reuters