11 TN athletes in violence-hit Turkey are safe: TN govt

Chennai, Jul 17: Allaying fears about the safety of 11 athletes from Tamil Nadu, who had gone to violence-hit Turkey for participating in the world school games meet, the state government said that it spoke with the Turkish Embassy and the students were safe.

"Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa directed government officials to contact the Embassy in Turkey about the athletes and asked them to take steps for their safety," an official release said.

The state government officials were informed by the Embassy that the 11 students from Tamil Nadu of the total 148 athletes were safe in the drop zone area and they would return safely after participating in the games that would conclude on July 18, it said.

"Parents need not worry or panic on the safety of the students," the release added.

PTI