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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Lottie Gibbons

Turkey travel warning as Foreign Office releases new guidance for UK visitors

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to people from the UK against travelling to parts of Turkey following a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

More than 1,300 people have died after the earthquake rocked south-eastern Turkey and northern Syria. Hundreds of people are still believed to be trapped under rubble, and the death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers searched the wreckage in cities and towns across the region.

The quake, felt as far away as Cairo, was centred north of Gaziantep, a Turkish provincial capital. Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes.

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The US Geological Survey measured Monday's quake at 7.8. At least 20 aftershocks followed, some hours later during daylight, the strongest measuring 6.6, Turkish authorities said.

In Turkey, people trying to leave the quake-stricken regions caused traffic jams, hampering efforts of emergency teams trying to reach the affected areas. Authorities urged residents not to take to the roads.

Following the earthquake, the UK Foreign Office said: "A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and nine other Turkish provinces, Hatay; Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Adana, Malaty, in the south east of Turkey on Monday.

"There have been several strong after-shocks and the Turkish government has announced its highest level of state emergency. You should avoid the Southeast region of Turkey and follow the advice of the local authorities."

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