ISTANBUL: Turkey is keeping 24 people under observation at clinics after a suspicious powder was sent to five consulates in Istanbul whose countries are involved in the coalition against IS jihadists, the health ministry said yesterday.
Previously, officials had said that 16 people had been hospitalised after the yellow powder was delivered to the consulates on Friday. The nature of the substance is being examined by experts from Turkey’s disaster management agency AFAD.
The 24 people under observation are being monitored at clinics specialising in infections and microbiology in Istanbul, the official Anatolia news agency quoted the health ministry as saying. Their general condition is good, it added, without giving further details.
Five foreign citizens working for the consulates are being monitored, as are 19 Turkish citizens, the statement added. Three foreigners and 15 Turks from the Canadian consulate are being monitored, along with two Turks and two foreigners from the German consulate and two Turks from the Belgian consulate, it said.
AFP
