Australians reminded of Turkey dangers

The Australian government's travel advisory website is urging Australians in Turkey to exercise heightened caution following a suicide bombing in Istanbul.

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion, on a street, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

Emergency services at the scene of an explosion, on a street, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 19, 2016. Source: AAP

Australians in Turkey have been urged to exercise heightened caution following a suicide bombing on a main shopping street in Istanbul that killed five people.

Saturday's bombing also injured at least 36 people including foreign nationals from Israel and Ireland but no Australians have been reported hurt in the blast.

One Israeli citizen and the suicide bomber were among the five killed.

The Australian government's smartraveller website on Saturday posted an updated advisory for Turkey following the bombing on Istikal Street.

"You should avoid the affected area and exercise heightened caution in Turkey at this time," it read.

The advisory said the overall level of advice for Turkey had not changed.

"We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey."

Saturday's bombing is the fourth such attack in Turkey this year.

A Kurdish militant group claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings that killed 66 people in the capital Ankara over the past month and Islamic State was blamed for a suicide bombing in Istanbul in January that killed 12 German tourists.

The smartraveller advisory said the latest bombings indicated a deteriorating security situation in Turkey.

"We continue to receive information that indicates that terrorists may be planning attacks in Turkey which could take place at any time.

"Attacks are likely to continue to target Turkish government institutions and officials, but it is increasingly likely some attacks will be indiscriminate and could impact western interests, including tourists."

The advisory urged heightened caution on and around March 20 due to Kurdish celebrations of the Persian New Year Holiday, Nevruz, and advised travellers to avoid large crowds at main shopping and entertainment areas and tourist attractions.


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Source: AAP


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