The families of three missing British schoolgirls believed to have fled to Syria to join the Islamic State group have pleaded for them to return home.
Police are urgently trying to trace Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and an un-named 15-year-old, who flew to Istanbul in Turkey from Gatwick Airport on Tuesday.
The girls, who are all from east London, are pupils at Bethnal Green Academy school and have been described as "straight A students".
In a direct message to Shamima, her family said they understood she had "strong feelings" about people she believed were suffering in the war-torn country but warned it was a "dangerous place".
In a statement, they said: "We miss you terribly and are extremely worried about you. Please, if you hear this message, get in touch and let us know you are safe. We want you home with us.
"Syria is a dangerous place and we don't want you to go there. Get in touch with the police and they will help to bring you home. You are not in any trouble.
"We understand that you have strong feelings and want to help those you believe are suffering in Syria. You can help from home, you don't have to put yourself in danger.
Meanwhile, Kadiza's distraught family said they were praying for the girls' safe return.
In a statement, they said: "In your absence, we, as a family, are feeling completely distressed and cannot make sense of why you left home. Due to the speculation that you may be travelling towards Syria, we are extremely worried about your safety.
"We would like to emphasise that we are not angry with you and you have not done anything wrong. We just want you all to return home, safe and sound.
Commander Richard Walton, head of the Metropolitan Police's counter terror command said there was a "good chance" the girls were still in Turkey.
"The choice of returning home from Syria is often taken away from those under the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK devastated and with very few options to secure their safe return," he said.
"If we are able to locate these girls whilst they are still in Turkey we have a good possibility of being able to bring them home to their families."
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