Turkey coup: Some 1,400 Australians expats, tourists stranded in Turkey

At least 1400 Australian expats and tourists are believed to be in Turkey during the failed coup attempt over the weekend that left over 260 dead and 6,000 others arrested.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), about 1,435 Australians in Turkey had registered on the Department’s Smartraveller system, the government's travel advisory and consular information service. Meanwhile, some 30 Australian travelljulers were monitored as being stranded in several Turkish airports, which briefly grounded operations early last Saturday.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was quoted in several reports as saying that no Australians had been reportedly injured in the short-lived military coup.

“Our priority is the safety of Australian citizens in Turkey. Australians in Turkey should be vigilant, monitor media, follow the direction of local authorities and advise friends and family in Australia that they are safe,” Bishop said in a statement.

Nevertheless, the DFAT urged “Australians in Turkey should be vigilant, monitor media, follow the direction of local authorities and advise friends and family in Australia that they are safe.”

Uncertainty despite foiled coup attempt

Aussies who remain in Turkey now face uncertainty despite the Turkish government’s success in foiling the coup d’etat launched late Friday evening.

Australian journalist Natasha Exelby said in an interview there had been disturbing images emerge from the coup, “graphic images of people being literally split in half by rolling tanks.” Exelby works with other Australians and Turkish-Australians for Turkish State broadcaster, TRT World.

Situation in Turkey is normalising and operations of Turkish airports have returned to normal after forces loyal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan foild the coup plot. However, the Australian government urged Australians to expect “some flight delays - check before travelling to airport.”

#Turkey situation is normalising. Some flight delays - check before travelling to airport https://t.co/hTa5YL2ntG https://t.co/I19VWC58r8

Just last month, at least 47 people died and 250 others were injured when a suicide bomber attacked Ataturk International airport in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey.