University of Ghent issues travel ban to Turkey

The University of Ghent prohibits its students and staff to travel to Turkey until further notice, after the recent terror attack at Istanbul Airport. Students with an Erasmus exchange programme planned for this autumn in Turkey will be required to change destination, and all tours and visits to the country have been cancelled, the headmaster announced in an e-mail to the university staff members, writes De Standaard. University of Ghent spokesperson Stephanie Lenoir confirms the news.

"The situation is such that we are forced to ban all travel to Turkey at this time. Also, student exchanges to Turkey scheduled for the first semester are being cancelled,“ wrote Ghent University Rector Anne De Paepe in an email to all staff. The ban affects 19 students who were planning an Erasmus stay in Turkey later this year.

Belgium's FPS Foreign Affairs does not advise against travel to Turkey at this time, but says that "increased vigilance" remains necessary.