AUSTRALIANS attending Gallipoli’s Anzac Day dawn service are being warned of the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country.
Visitors making the April 25 pilgrimage are being told to “exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey because of the high threat of terrorist attack”.
The warnings, contained in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Smartraveller bulletin for Turkeyand Anzac travellers, ask people to be aware terrorists are constantly active in the country.
The latest attack was in February when a suicide bomber targeted the US Embassy in Ankara, killing himself and a security guard and injuring others.
The Turkish Government has warned the group claiming responsibility is planning further attacks.
There have been nine notable events since 2010, and Australian Amanda Rigg, 22, was killed when a suicide bomber hit an Istanbul police station in 2001.
“Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in Turkey,” the travel advice says.
“In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred in tourist areas and locations frequented by foreigners.
“Foreigners have been killed and injured.”
Terrorism expert Professor Clive Williams, from the Australian National University, said Australian tourists were not usually targets but the advice was sensible.
Travellers risked being caught in “the wrong place”, as Ms Rigg had been, he said.
“She was not targeted, she just happened to be where a bomb went off,” Professor Williams said.
“In Turkey, the main target is the government and then second is the United States and then third is the UK.
“You just need to be careful where you go and what you do in Turkey.”
Travellers should avoid government offices, embassies and consulates, be wary in busy areas like transport hubs and exercise particular care around significant local dates, like May Day on May 1.
Those considering travelling to areas bordering with Syria, Iraq and Iran are told to reconsider their need to travel.
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