Foreign ministry updates travel advice to Turkey

Turkey has a history of military coups. In the 1980s, the country was under the rule of the armed forces for three years Keystone

The Swiss foreign ministry has called on its nationals in Turkey to follow instructions by the local authorities following a coup attempt by the military on Friday night. But it stopped short of recommending against visits to popular holiday destinations in the south of the country.

It advises tourists to strictly observe curfews and to stay away from any kind of demonstration or other mass event. They were urged to take great care, especially in Ankara and Istanbul.

On its special travel advice website, the ministry also recommends that tourists stay in contact with their travel agencies.

A special telephone line has been set up for people seeking further advice, 0041 800 247 365 and 0041 58 465 33 33.

The national airline, Swiss, says it has cancelled its two regular flights to Istanbul on Saturday, but it will continue to operate flights to the popular holiday destinations, Bodrum, Antalya and Izmir.

A spokeswoman said the situation would be re-evaluated later in the day.

Switzerland and Turkey have extensive economic and trade ties, according to the foreign ministry. In 2013, about 380,000 Swiss tourists visited the country. There are also 4,130 Swiss nationals registered in Turkey, according to 2015 figures.

Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter later condemned the attempted coup. “Violence is never an appropriate way to change a situation,” he said in a statement released by the foreign ministry. 

Burkhalter called for those sides involved to pursue the path of social reconciliation.

Violence

The situation in Turkey remains unclear. The government said it was in control of the country early on Saturday as loyal military and police forces quashed a coup attempt during a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire in Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere.

A faction of the armed forces is accused of trying to seize power.

Officials say 161 civilians or pro-government security forces were killed during the coup, along with an undetermined number of coup plotters..

The United States and many European governments have condemned a military coup attempt in Turkey and urged all parties involved to respect the democratic order.