The consulates of Canada, Belgium and Germany in Istanbul have been evacuated after receiving suspicious packages, Turkish authorities said.

Seven people from the Canadian consulate have been taken to hospital as a precaution after one of them opened a package and was exposed to a yellow powder, according to a Turkish official.

He said that as part of standard procedures, samples have been sent for testing.

Claude Rochon, from Canada's department of foreign affairs, trade and development, said: "All staff at the Canadian mission are safe and accounted for."

The German foreign ministry said that the German consulate in Istanbul received a "suspicious object", that the staff members are safe and the Turkish authorities were notified.