The victims: Mr Roger Short (59), the British consul general in Istanbul who died in yesterday's suicide bombing, was a diplomatic veteran and Turkish expert. News of his death was confirmed by the consulate's chaplain, the Rev Ian Sherwood, who said Mr Short was one of his best friends.
He said he had been comforting Mr Short's wife, Victoria, and one of their daughters. Their other daughter, in her early 20s, and their son, 15, were travelling to Istanbul.
Mr Sherwood said Mr Short had been due to finish his posting next November.
Mr Short joined the Foreign Office in 1967. One of his first postings was to Ankara as third and later second secretary in 1969. After spells in London and Rio de Janeiro, he returned to Turkey as head of chancery in 1981. He was consul-general in Oslo and ambassador to Bulgaria in 1994. Before returning to Turkey in 2001, he was chief of staff in Sarajevo.
The British Foreign Office in London said that although there were still no absolute identifications, they were reluctantly coming to the conclusion that a number of staff, both British and Turkish, at the British Consulate General had lost their lives.
Also believed to have died was another member of the British diplomatic staff, Ms Lisa Hallworth.
The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw said: "The death of our staff, both British and Turkish, alongside other British and Turkish citizens in Istanbul is deeply shocking. They posed a threat to no one.
"They were working in Istanbul to help British and Turkish citizens alike, in support of the strong relations between our two countries." - (Guardian service, PA)