Turkey is one of the most popular destinations among Brits, loved for its beaches, historic cities, and even cosmetic surgery. But after the country confirmed it had intercepted another missile from Iran today, some Brits may be concerned about their safety during upcoming trips.

The Turkish defence ministry said a second ballistic munition launched from Iran was destroyed by “Nato air and missile defence assets” today after it entered Turkish airspace, after another missile heading for its airspace was destroyed last week. The ministry said debris fell onto empty land in the southern city of Gaziantep today, with no injuries or casualties.

Amid the conflict, Brits are urged to keep up to date with alerts from the Foreign Office, which issues the most current travel advice.

If a holidayer travels to a destination where the British Government has already advised against all travel, they may not be able to seek help from the UK in a crisis, and their insurance may be invalidated.

Does the Foreign Office advise against travel?

The FCDO does not advise against travel to the vast majority of Turkey, and airlines generally take this guidance into consideration when deciding whether to cancel flights.

Other factors, such as closed airspaces, can change within an instant, so it is important to keep as up to date as possible with your airline company.

The FCDO does, however, advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.

Have flights been cancelled?

Flights are still operating between the UK and Turkey. There is a lot of disruption between Turkey and the Middle East, due to airspace closures in neighbouring countries, including Israel, Iran, Iraq and parts of Syria.

Latest Foreign Office warnings and advice

The FCDO warnings state that “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption” in Turkey.

It encouraged British nationals to read official guidance on what to do in a crisis abroad, which includes suggestions on the emergency supplies you may need, and how to make contact with the UK.

It said Brits should follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information. Brits in Turkey or going to the country can sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts to receive the latest updates as they happen.

It also stressed: “If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection.”

Brits were urged to stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans under review, and ensure travel documents are up to date.

Advice for the Turkey-Iran border

The border remains open for land crossings into Turkey from Iran. The usual entry requirements apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

It warned: “If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.”

If you are a British national intending to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you must request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border.