A number of statements, press releases and interviews about the Istanbul bombings have been issued by the Foreign Office since news of the attacks was received on 20 November.

The Foreign Office this evening further amended its Travel Advice for Turkey. The advice against all but the most essential travel to Istanbul remains in place, but we now also advise against all but the most essential travel to Turkey's other major cities as well, until the situation becomes clearer. This is based on the assessment that there is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey.

Following this morning's explosions in Istanbul, the Foreign Office has confirmed that although there are still no absolute identifications, they are reluctantly coming to the conclusion that a number of staff, both British and Turkish, at the British Consulate General have lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. Amongst those believed to have lost their lives are the Consul General, Roger Short, and another member of the British diplomatic staff, Lisa Hallworth.

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has described the bomb blasts in Istanbul as 'appalling acts of terrorism' in a statement to the House of Commons on 20 November. He said full details of the attacks had not yet been confirmed, but a series of bomb blasts had been reported, including one at the HSBC headquarters and another at the British Consulate-General, and a number of people have been killed and injured. Mr Straw expressed his 'utter condemnation of these atrocities' and offered his condolences to the families of those killed and sympathy to the injured. Mr Straw said the attacks have 'every hallmark of the cowardly and indiscriminate acts of terrorism of Al Qa'ida and its associates', and stressed the need for a coordinated response from the international community.
The Foreign Office has revised its travel advice in the light of the explosions to warn against all but the most essential travel to Istanbul. An emergency contact number for anyone concerned about relatives who may have been caught up in the bombings in Istanbul is also available. The number is 020 7008 0000.