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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Sutton Coldfield pupils stranded after attempted coup in Turkey | Sutton Coldfield pupils stranded after attempted coup in Turkey |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| More than 40 Birmingham pupils are stuck at an airport in Turkey as a result of an attempted military coup. | More than 40 Birmingham pupils are stuck at an airport in Turkey as a result of an attempted military coup. |
| The 41 pupils and seven staff from Arthur Terry School, Sutton Coldfield, are "safe and well" and with a British Embassy member, the school said. | The 41 pupils and seven staff from Arthur Terry School, Sutton Coldfield, are "safe and well" and with a British Embassy member, the school said. |
| The children are at Istanbul Ataturk airport where they were due to get a connecting flight to South Africa. | The children are at Istanbul Ataturk airport where they were due to get a connecting flight to South Africa. |
| The school said many parents had been in touch with their children and it was trying to confirm onward flights. | The school said many parents had been in touch with their children and it was trying to confirm onward flights. |
| Britons in Turkey are being "strongly" advised to stay indoors, the Foreign Office has said. | Britons in Turkey are being "strongly" advised to stay indoors, the Foreign Office has said. |
| 'Get our children out' | 'Get our children out' |
| The children left for the Turkish Airlines flight on Friday morning for the two-week trip. | The children left for the Turkish Airlines flight on Friday morning for the two-week trip. |
| Head teachers Neil Warner and Richard Gill thanked parents for their "tremendous support". | Head teachers Neil Warner and Richard Gill thanked parents for their "tremendous support". |
| A statement said: "It's great to know that many of you have had direct contact with your sons/daughters and know that they are safe, well cared for and in good spirits. | A statement said: "It's great to know that many of you have had direct contact with your sons/daughters and know that they are safe, well cared for and in good spirits. |
| "There has been contact with Turkish Airlines and we await confirmation of the onward journey." | "There has been contact with Turkish Airlines and we await confirmation of the onward journey." |
| The school said the British Consulate and Foreign Office were continuing to provide support. | The school said the British Consulate and Foreign Office were continuing to provide support. |
| 'Extremely concerned' | |
| Andrew Mitchell, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, has been speaking to the teachers, including one of the trip leaders, Sue Bailey. | |
| He said it had been a "very scary and unpleasant experience" for the group. | |
| "Parents were naturally extremely concerned," he said. | |
| The school was able to quickly pass on information to re-assure them, he added. | |
| Mr Mitchell said the children had been fed and been able to sleep and understood the group would fly to South Africa about 21:00 BST. | |
| Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said "upon the call" of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, its operations at Ataturk airport were "back to normal and flights have begun". | Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines said "upon the call" of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, its operations at Ataturk airport were "back to normal and flights have begun". |
| The senior school said earlier the students were accompanied by "seven outstanding and experienced members of staff", including the assistant head teacher. | The senior school said earlier the students were accompanied by "seven outstanding and experienced members of staff", including the assistant head teacher. |
| One mother appealed on Twitter for the Foreign Office, Turkish Airlines and media outlets to "please get our children out of Ataturk airport". | One mother appealed on Twitter for the Foreign Office, Turkish Airlines and media outlets to "please get our children out of Ataturk airport". |
| The group were planning to fly to Johannesburg and on to Cape Town, and then drive to a outward bound centre in Sedgefield, where they were due to take part in community projects, working in two schools. | The group were planning to fly to Johannesburg and on to Cape Town, and then drive to a outward bound centre in Sedgefield, where they were due to take part in community projects, working in two schools. |
| Information about the trip said it would provide a "real insight into a totally different culture and way of life". The students raised funds for their trip through events such as a fun run and raffle. | Information about the trip said it would provide a "real insight into a totally different culture and way of life". The students raised funds for their trip through events such as a fun run and raffle. |
| Turkey's PM Binali Yildirim said some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, have been arrested over the attempted coup | Turkey's PM Binali Yildirim said some 2,839 soldiers, including high-ranking officers, have been arrested over the attempted coup |
| The Foreign Office said some flights to Turkey have been diverted or cancelled and those due to travel should check with their airline or tour operator. | The Foreign Office said some flights to Turkey have been diverted or cancelled and those due to travel should check with their airline or tour operator. |