Airport chaos of Brits trapped in Turkey as country comes to terms with aftermath of attempted coup

SCORES of Brits have been left stranded in Turkey in the aftermath of the attempted military coup this weekend.

Rebel soldiers tried to seize key transport hubs – including Istanbul’s main Ataturk Airport – during the failed attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday.

The closure of the airport caused the diversion of 35 planes and the cancellation of a further 32, Turkish Airlines chairman Ilker Ayci told broadcaster CNN Turk.

Hundreds of tourists are still caught up in the ensuing travel chaos, despite Government forces regaining control and the Foreign Office relaxing travel advice.

Pictures from Ataturk Airport showed masses of passengers waiting for information as they tried to get out of the country.

People could be seen lying on the floor with their luggage, with others trying to sleep on benches in the terminal of the airport that was attacked by suicide bombers just weeks ago.

And while flights in and out of the country were beginning to return to normal, passengers were warned to expect delays as the airlines try to clear the backlog.

Thomas Cook said it was running flights as normal, but offering free amendments and cancellations to customers due to fly today.

British Airways said it was flying a reduced schedule to the country, but warned of delays.

And Thomson, Turkish Airlines, Easyjet and Monarch said they were operating a normal service, but were monitoring the situation on the ground.

Passengers due to fly today were also advised to arrive early to get through additional security checks.

British consular staff are continuing to provide assistance to those affected by airport closures and Foreign Office staff are in close contact with the UK's largest travel association Abta.

More than 250 people were killed in the failed coup this weekend, and Turkish authorities said 6,000 plotters had been arrested for involvement.

Brits holidaying in the popular seaside resort of Marmaris described their terror as they heard gunfire and explosions erupt on Friday night.

Mike Baddeley said he and his partner had gone to bed before being woken by “a very loud explosion”.

He said: “It was followed by what seemed like one or two helicopters flying above our heads, literally above the hotel very close to us, with machine gunfire.

“Obviously we didn’t want to rush down to the windows to have a look outside so we stayed in bed and kept our heads down.

“In the morning, we looked out and could see men walking around in what looked like military fatigues carrying automatic weapons around the hotel.”

Yvonne Wickes, also in Marmaris, took to social media to tell friends her hotel was “under fire”.

She wrote on Facebook: “Bullets flying all over here. Smashed against our room. Machine guns and small arms.

“People crying and screaming and soldiers. Helicopters.”

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