Warning of more attacks in Turkey
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Work continues at the scene outside the British Consulate after an explosion in Istanbul on Thursday.
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The British Foreign Office has issued a telephone number for anyone wanting news of friends or relatives who might have been caught up in the blasts.
The number to call is
+44 (0)20 7008 0000
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Chaos after explosions hit Istanbul
Bombings have all the hallmarks of al Qaeda, UK says
Bombings are wake-up call to Islamic nations
Bush: Terrorists' 'hope to intimidate and demoralize'
Blair: 'No holding back' in 'confronting this menace'
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. and British governments are warning citizens to defer non-essential travel to Turkey following Thursday's bomb blasts in Istanbul that left at least 27 dead.
"We have information that further attacks may be attempted," said a statement from the British Foreign Office.
The warning comes after dual bomb attacks in Istanbul Saturday and again Thursday that left a total of at least 50 people dead.
The Turkish government says it has received a joint claim of responsibility from al Qaeda and a Turkish Islamic militant group, the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (IBDA-C), for Thursday's two suicide bombings.
The blasts outside the British consulate in Istanbul and the local headquarters of the British-owned HSBC bank killed at least 27 people.
Among the dead at the consulate was the British Consul-General Roger Short. Most of the other casualties were Turkish nationals.
Following the latest blasts the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Turkey, urging Americans to defer all non-essential travel to the predominantly Muslim country because "the potential for violence and terrorist actions" continues.
However, the U.S. Embassy in the Turkish capital, Ankara, will remain open, as well as consulates in Istanbul, Adana and Izmir, the State Department said in a statement.
Visa services at the Istanbul consulate have been suspended, and Americans are being advised to defer all but emergency visits to the consulate.
"All American citizens are urged to continue to exercise extreme caution and to maintain a low profile throughout Turkey," the State Department's warning said.
The British Foreign Office issued its own caution, saying it advises "against all but the most essential travel to Istanbul and other major cities, until the situation becomes clearer" because of a "high threat" of terrorism.
Thursday's explosions came less than a week after bombings at two Jewish synagogues in Istanbul killed 23. (Full story)
The U.S. Embassy urged Americans to avoid Western-oriented businesses and religious institutions in Turkey "until further information is available."
'Hallmarks of al Qaeda'
In its travel advisory, the British Foreign Office said that "until further notice," the bombed consulate in Istanbul "will not be able to provide the full range of services."
Britons were urged to be "vigilant in all parts of the country, and especially in the vicinity of potential terrorist targets."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, in London, called the bombings "appalling acts of terrorism" that had "all the hallmarks" of an al Qaeda attack.
Speaking to the House of Commons he said diplomatic officials were taking measures to step up security at facilities at home and abroad.
U.S. President George W. Bush, in London on a state visit, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the blasts and vowed to defeat terrorism. (Bush, Blair: Defeat this menace)
Speaking at a news conference with Bush, Blair vowed his country would "fight and defeat this evil."
Bush added: "Cruelty is part of their strategy. The terrorists hope to intimidate. They hope to demoralize."
On Thursday the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution condemning the bombings.
The resolution speaks of the "need to combat by all means" threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and asks all states to "cooperate in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist attacks."
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also condemned attacks and expressed sympathy for the victims. He called the bombings "shocking" saying, "we live in a rather dangerous world and a difficult world" and calling for international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Turkey, which stands out among Muslim nations as a secular democracy, vowed not to allow terrorist groups to change what it stands for. (Turkey: We will not bow to terror)
"If we keep a very calm manner and act in a dignified manner, then the whole world and these organizations will see how righteous we are, how we are acting," said Erdogan. "Our government will pursue this right to the end."
Turkey is a supporter of the U.S.-led war on terrorism and has relations with Israel. Erdogan said that after Saturday's bombings, he met colleagues from Israel and other intelligence units in the effort to crack down on terrorist groups.
Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
