Indian Student Athletes And Officials in Turkey Safe: Government

Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Saturday said all 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey are safe, amid an attempted military coup in that country in which close to 250 people have died.

"I have contacted the Ministry of External Affairs and India's Ambassador to Turkey and they have confirmed that the 148 athletes participating in the world games in Trabzon area of Turkey are safe," he said in Bengaluru.

Goel also said that he has ascertained from the organisers and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), that all children are safe and the games are on, adding the Sports Authority of India has set up a control room with the help of SGFI.

The government, especially the MEA, are taking all steps to ensure the safety of the participants, Goel said. The minister, who on a visit to the Sports Authority of India here to assess the ground situation and work towards improving the facilities said that he has contacted the families of the participants and assured them about the safety of their wards.

Later, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the 148 athletes and another 38 officials from the country were safe in Turkey.

"The games are on. They will start returning in batches from 18th July," Swaraj tweeted.

At least 250 people were killed in a night of violence in Turkey's major cities after a Turkish army faction attempted a coup to bring down the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Indian Embassy has set up emergency helplines to assist Indian nationals in Ankara (+905303142203) and Istanbul (+905305671095).