The Dutch consulate in Istanbul has been temporarily closed due to the ‘possible terror threat’, reports the NRC.

Foreign affairs minister Bert Koenders decided to close operations on Wednesday morning, and advised Dutch people in Istanbul to avoid the area around the consulate and ‘stay up-to-date with developments’.

He added: ‘The safety of my staff and visitors to our consular offices is of the highest priority. For obvious reasons, we can make no further statements on the nature of the threat and the information around it.’

The consul general and about 40 employees have been evacuated from the consulate but are continuing their work – as far as possible – from other locations, says the foreign affairs ministry.

Last Saturday a bombing in Istanbul killed five people and injured 36. The Turkish authorities said the perpetrator had links with terrorist organisation Islamic State and have tightened security measures in the wake of the attack.