UK holidaymakers have been warned of extended security checks when travelling to Turkey. The country is popular with UK travellers for beach holidays and city breaks, and the nation tragically suffered a terrorist attack earlier this week.

The Turkish government reported that at least five people were killed and 22 injured in an assault on an aerospace company in Kahramankazan, roughly 40km from the capital Ankara, on Wednesday (October 23). The two attackers were also killed.

On Thursday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised British nationals in the area to heed local authorities’ advice and stay informed through media channels. A second FCDO update issued later on Thursday has warned of more stringent security measures at the country’s airports.

The alert on Gov.uk reads: “While the incident has ended, the response is ongoing, including increased security measures at Turkish airports, which means security checks will take longer than normal. If you are in the area near the attack, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media.”

According to experts at travel insurance provider Staysure, Turkey ranks as the sixth most popular destination for those venturing abroad this October half-term.