Foreign Office warns Edinburgh travellers of Turkey dangers ahead of Easter holidays

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Edinburgh residents travelling to Turkey, or who are currently in the country.

Turkey has become a hotspot for holidaymakers, and with the Easter Holidays just around the corner, there will be droves of capital families heading to the bridge between Europe and Asia for a short break or beach stay.

But on Monday March 24, the Foreign Office has issued a warning to tourists after demonstrations broke out in cities following the arrest of an Istanbul mayor ahead of presidential nominations in the country, the Liverpool Echo reports. The travel body warns "demonstrations may become violent. The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons."

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) offers travel advice to help British nationals make informed decisions about international travel, focusing on safety and security, and providing information about potential risks and how to stay safe abroad. Offering further advice if travelling to Turkey while demonstrations are ongoing, the FCDO suggests you should:

monitor local media

plan ahead to avoid disruption

avoid crowds and demonstrations

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages.

Events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and in locations across Turkey. Large demonstrations continue to occur outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.

The FCDO urges all UK tourists in Turkey to "avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted." The government body also states: "FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the Turkey-Syria border."

To enter Turkey, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

An unrelated travel warning for Turkey was published on the government website in February. the Foreign Office stated: "In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol." They advise people who have concerns to ask for advice from tour operators or the Turkish authorities.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

If you or someone you know falls ill after drinking alcohol while in Turkey, you should seek "urgent medical attention" for your own safety and the safety of others. The FCDO has issued five ways you can protect yourself if you choose to buy alcohol in the country. Methods of staying safe includes: