The German Consulate General in İstanbul has announced on social media that it will be closed on Wednesday due to the risk of terrorist attacks in the city, local media reported Wednesday.
In a written statement posted on its official Instagram page on Wednesday, the consulate said the risk of terrorist attacks in İstanbul, particularly in the city center area including the Beyoğlu district where the consulate is located, has increased following recent incidents of public Quran burning in several European capitals.
The consulate will be closed on Wednesday, the statement said, adding that appointments for visas and passports have also been canceled.
❗️Wichtiger Hinweis für Deutsche in der Türkei❗️https://t.co/OrLXyieFmR pic.twitter.com/gkC9IJV1GV
— AlmanyaBE (@AlmanyaBE) January 27, 2023
“Continue to be particularly vigilant and cautious when visiting facilities open to international visitors and, if possible, avoid crowds and busy public places,” the consulate warned.
The development comes after the British and Dutch consulates in İstanbul were also closed temporarily as a precaution.
Several embassies in Ankara, including those of Germany, France and Italy, last week issued security alerts over possible retaliatory attacks against places of worship, following separate incidents in which the Muslim holy book was burned in Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark.
The US embassy in Turkey also warned Americans earlier this week of possible attacks against churches, synagogues and diplomatic missions in İstanbul, marking its second such notice in four days.
The embassy said “possible imminent retaliatory attacks by terrorists” could take place in areas frequented by Westerners, especially the city’s Beyoğlu, Galata, Taksim and İstiklal neighborhoods.
The UK has also renewed its travel advisory, warning its citizens in Turkey about the terrorist threat in major cities.