New Delhi, IndiaAs many as 173 Indians have been reported to be safe after attempted overnight coup in Turkey took 161 lives and left over a thousand people injured. 

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Turkish army faction attempted a coup on Friday night to bring down the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

While Turkey recovers from the coup bid, a source told WION today a group of 25 Indians, including family members, associated with state-broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television corporation (TRT), were safe. They are in touch with government officials from India, the source added. 

'Games are on' 

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Indian Sports Minister Vijay Goel asserted today all 148 Indian athletes participating in the World School Games at Trabzon in Turkey were also safe.

"I have contacted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and India's ambassador to Turkey and they have confirmed that the 149 athletes participating in the world games in Trabzon area of Turkey are safe," he said here.

Goel also said that he has ascertained from the organisers and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), that all children are safe and the games are on, adding the Sports Authority of India has set up a control room with the help of SGFI.

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The government, especially the MEA, are taking all steps to ensure the safety of the participants, Goel said.

The minister, who on a visit to the Sports Authority of India here to assess the ground situation and work towards improving the facilities said that he has contacted the families of the participants and assured them about the safety of their wards.

India is represented by 148 athletes and 38 officials at the Games scheduled to end on July 18. 

India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, in a series of posts on microblogging site Twitter, also urged all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors. 

Meanwhile, India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has sent out a series of Tweets urging all Indians in Turkey to stay indoors. 

She has also asked Indians to avoid traveling to Turkey until the situation stabilises. 

(WION)