The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its Turkey travel advice after incidents where UK tourists have died or been seriously injured in the country
British tourists heading to Turkey have been issued new advice by the Government following a series of tragic deaths.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for Turkey. The fresh alert, issued on Tuesday, May 20, cautions about the perils of paragliding, an extreme sport that poses a significant risk of severe injury or death. This warning follows incidents involving UK tourists who have either lost their lives or sustained serious injuries while paragliding in Turkey.
The Foreign Office advises: “Paragliding is an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death. British nationals have died or been seriously injured whilst paragliding in Turkey. Ensure you receive full instructions and training before your activity.”
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It warns bystanders to exercise caution near paragliding sites, as landing zones may be situated in public areas. To ensure personal safety, it is recommended to maintain a reasonable distance from potential landing zones.
The update follows a string of accidents in Turkey. In April, a British tourist and his pilot plunged thousands of feet to their deaths after their parachute malfunctioned in a horror paragliding accident. The unnamed tourist had leaped from a 6,500ft mountain in the Babadag paragliding spot in Fethiye, Turkey, under the care of his pilot during an adrenaline-fuelled flight.
But the pair’s parachute malfunctioned shortly after their 11.45am takeoff, Turkish media reported, sending the 22 and 29-year-old plummeting to their deaths on jagged rocks set along the mountainside. The two died at the scene after other paragliders raised the alarm, and flights in the area were cancelled for a period following the distressing incident. The names of the pilot and tourist have not been made public.
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Last year British teenager Lily Nichol was left in a serious condition after being hit by a paraglider while she ate a meal with her family on holiday. The 15-year-old from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, was injured on the final day of her holiday in Oludeniz as she ate a pizza. Her mum told the BBC that the paraglider “came out of nowhere”.
Last week a 81-year-old German citizen, Volker Gerhard Wagner, lost his life after launching a solo paragliding flight from Babadağ, FTN reported.
The FCDO has other warnings in place for Brits heading to Turkey. Holidaymakers are advised to purchase alcoholic beverages solely from licensed stores, bars, and hotels. This is to avoid the risks associated with homemade alcoholic drinks.It is also recommended to inspect bottle seals for any signs of tampering and to be vigilant for labels with poor quality or spelling errors.
British passport holders planning to travel are being urged to ensure that their passports have at least 150 days validity beyond their arrival date in Turkey, as well as at least one blank page. Brits can enjoy visa-free travel to Turkey for up to 90 days in any 180-day window, whether it’s for business or pleasure.
Visit the FCDO’s website for further travel advice.