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Sutton Coldfield pupils stranded after attempted coup in Turkey | Sutton Coldfield pupils stranded after attempted coup in Turkey |
(about 13 hours later) | |
More than 40 Birmingham pupils were stuck at an airport in Turkey as a result of an attempted military coup. | More than 40 Birmingham pupils were 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, were kept "safe and well" and were with a British Embassy member, the school said. | The 41 pupils and seven staff from Arthur Terry School, Sutton Coldfield, were kept "safe and well" and were with a British Embassy member, the school said. |
The children were at Istanbul Ataturk airport where they were due to get a connecting flight to South Africa. | The children were at Istanbul Ataturk airport where they were due to get a connecting flight to South Africa. |
The school said the staff and children were now on their way to Cape Town. | The school said the staff and children were now on their way to Cape Town. |
A statement said the students were "delighted" to be carrying on with the trip, and were flying overnight on Sunday. | A statement said the students were "delighted" to be carrying on with the trip, and were flying overnight on Sunday. |
The Foreign Office has said that the situation in Turkey now "appears to be calming". | The Foreign Office has said that the situation in Turkey now "appears to be calming". |
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." |
'Extremely concerned' | 'Extremely concerned' |
Andrew Mitchell, Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, has been speaking to the teachers, including one of the trip leaders, Sue Bailey. | 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. | He said it had been a "very scary and unpleasant experience" for the group. |
"Parents were naturally extremely concerned," he said. | "Parents were naturally extremely concerned," he said. |
The school was able to quickly pass on information to re-assure them, he added. | 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 at the airport. | Mr Mitchell said the children had been fed and been able to sleep at the airport. |
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". |
In South Africa, the group are planning to drive to a outward bound centre in Sedgefield on the Western Cape, where they are 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 |