Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens - Embassy and Consulates Will Open and Additional Security Information (February 3, 2013)

Please be advised that Embassy Ankara, Consulate General Istanbul, and Consulate Adana will be open for regular business hours and will provide the full range of normal services, including all Consular services, beginning on Monday, February 4, 2013. The entrance to the Embassy's Consular Section on Paris Street was not affected by the explosion and will remain in use. The Embassy advises anyone coming to the Consular section to approach the entrance from Nevzat Tandogan Street.

On Friday, February 1, 2013, at 1:13pm local time an individual detonated a bomb at a side entrance to the Embassy, killing one Embassy guard and himself and injuring a nearby woman. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (Devrimci Halk Kurtulus Partisi/Cephesi or DHKP/C) claimed responsibility for the attack on its website. The DHKP/C has stated its intention to commit further attacks against the United States, NATO, and Turkey, and the Embassy has received credible information corroborating DHKP/C's threats.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for violence, to avoid those areas where disturbances have occurred, and to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and nationals traveling to or residing in Turkey enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens and nationals without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrolling signs you up to receive updated information about areas abroad and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to contact you or your designated contact in case of emergency.

Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or a regular toll line at +1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax(90)(312) 468-6131.

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90)(212) 335-9102.

The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916.

The Consular Agency in Izmir can be reached at tel: (90) <tel:(90)> (232) 464-8755, fax (90) (232) 464-8916.