Travel warning on Turkey, no NZers reported in blasts

Wellington, Nov 21 - There were no reports of any New Zealanders caught up in last night's deadly bomb attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

Checks were being made with New Zealand's honorary consul in Istanbul, a Turkish lawyer, ministry spokesman Brad Tattersfield told NZPA.

"He was away when it happened, but his staff are making the checks for us," Mr Tattersfield said.

The ministry today revised and reissued a travel advisory warning New Zealanders against non-essential travel to Istanbul.

"New Zealanders should exercise extreme caution due to the possibility of further terrorist activity, particularly in commercial establishments and public places," the advisory said.

Care should be taken around landmarks frequented by foreigners, hotels, bars, shopping areas and on public transport, it said.

It also advised caution in southeastern Turkey, near the border with Iraq.

New Zealanders in Turkey were asked to register with the New Zealand embassy in the capital Ankara.

At least 27 people including the British consul general were killed and more than 450 injured in two powerful bomb attacks against the British consulate in Istanbul and a British bank.

The attacks were blamed on the al Qaeda terror network and came in the wake of the pair of synagogue bombings on Saturday that killed 25 people in the Turkish city.

- NZPA