Nine UK medical students feared to have ‘crossed into Syria’

The students, who are believed to have been studying in Sudan, are all in their late teens or early 20s.

The medics are thought to have entered Syria more than a week ago.

The four men and five women crossed into Syria without warning their parents, according to The Observer. One of the women informed her family of the trip via Whatsapp, it is claimed.

It quoted Turkish opposition politician Mehmet Ali Ediboglu, as having met members of the students’ families, who were trying to persuade the students to return.

One of the girls, Lena Maumoon Abdulqadir, is said to have told her relatives: “Don’t worry about us, we’ve reached Turkey and are on our way to volunteer helping wounded Syrian people.”

UK security services estimate that some 600 Britons have gone to Syria or Iraq to join militant groups. It comes as British authorities continue efforts to trace three missing schoolgirls from east London who left Britain to join Islamic State.

‘Considerable danger’

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are providing consular assistance to the families. We have informed the Turkish police to try and ascertain their whereabouts.

“The best way for the public to help is to donate to or otherwise support UK-registered charities with ongoing relief operations.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The UK advises against all travel to Syria and parts of Iraq.

“Anyone who does travel to these areas, even for humanitarian reasons, is putting themselves in considerable danger.”