Australia won't withdraw staff from Turkey

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop won't pull out embassy staff from Turkey, despite ambassador James Larsen's close call during the latest car bombing.

Canberra won't pull diplomatic staff out of Turkey despite escalating danger from bombing attacks, including the latest one witnessed by Australia's ambassador.

James Larsen and his daughter were about 20 metres from a car bomb at a busy intersection in Ankara which killed more than 30 people overnight.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Mr Larsen is "somewhat shaken" but fine and focused on continuing his job.

She ruled out withdrawing staff from Australia's embassy in Turkey.

"No, we would not," she told reporters in Fiji on Monday.

The government constantly reviewed security arrangements for diplomats posted overseas, she said.

Ms Bishop wasn't aware of any Australians injured or killed in the blast and said all embassy staff are unharmed.

"This is a stark reminder of the fact that terrorist attacks can occur at any time and anywhere," she said.

"And that's why Australia is involved in the coalition to defeat terrorism at its source in Syria and Iraq."

Mr Larsen was in his car with his daughter returning home from her horse-riding lessons when the explosion happened on the other side of traffic lights at which they were stopped.

"We heard a pop and we saw flames shooting up and a bus and car catching alight and flames spreading out. It was very distressing," Mr Larsen told the ABC's 7.30 Report on Monday.

He said he told his daughter to keep her head low on the car floor so she was away from any glass.

"I moved the car to the side of the roadway and called the office to make sure that we initiated our crisis procedures."

Sunday's blast was the second such attack in Ankara's business centre in less than a month.

Reuters has cited a senior security official saying initial findings suggest the attack was carried out by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) or an affiliated militant group.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Ms Bishop said Australia would be working closely with the Turkish government to ensure Australians travelling to Gallipoli for Anzac Day would be as safe as possible.

"The heightened security will make it very challenging for travellers," she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise travellers to Turkey to maintain a "high degree of caution".


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Source: AAP


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