Turkey: Increase in armed violence in 2017

Event

The Umut Foundation, an organization that tracks armed violence in Turkey, reported that the number of violent incidents increased nationwide by 28 percent in 2017. At least 2180 people were killed and 3520 people were injured in incidents involving guns (35 percent), rifles (40 percent), and other objects such as knives. The city of Istanbul was the most violent in 2017, followed by Adana province, Izmir province, and Antalya province.

The rate of armed violence committed by individuals has increased by 61 percent in two years.

Advice

Although foreigners are not particularly targeted by criminals, individuals should take basic precautions when traveling to Turkey (avoid walking alone at night, conceal signs of wealth, park in well-lit areas at night, etc.).