Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has told a crowd of supporters he is still in charge after an attempted coup by soldiers who "pointed the people's guns against the people".

Turkey's prime minister, Binali Yildirim, said 161 people had been killed and 1,440 wounded.

A source told the AP news agency that the number of dead "excludes assailants".

Mr Yildirim said 20 plotters had died and 30 had been wounded.

In addition, 2,839 military personnel were arrested after a group calling itself the Council for Peace in the Homeland declared martial law and a curfew.

Mr Yildirim, who described the events as a "dark stain" on Turkey's democracy, said those detained included ordinary soldiers and high-ranking officers.

"The situation is completely under control," he said in Ankara, flanked by senior ministers and Turkey's top general.

The Turkish military's acting chief of staff, General Umit Dundar, said those taking part in the uprising were from the air force, the gendarmerie, and what he called "armoured elements".

Timeline: Key moments of the attempted Turkey coup

Broadcaster NTV said the Turkish authorities had removed 2,745 judges from duty following the attempted coup.

The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that five members of HSYK, Turkey's highest judiciary board, had also been removed.

In a sign that the unrest had not finished, a group opposed to the government took control of a frigate at the Golcuk naval base and took the head of the Turkish fleet hostage, according to a senior military source speaking to the Reuters news agency.

Greece, meanwhile, has arrested eight men who landed in the northern city of Alexandroupolis on Saturday.

Greece's police ministry said the men, who arrived on board a Turkish military helicopter, had requested political asylum.

Turkey's foreign minister said he had asked Greece to return them.

Speaking outside Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Mr Erdogan said: "The president, whom 52% of the people brought to power, is in charge. This government brought to power by the people, is in charge.

"They won't succeed as long as we stand against them by risking everything."

Mr Erdogan has also condemned the uprising as an act of "treason".

"This is a betrayal...and they are going to pay for this," he said.

A car burns during firefight between Turkish army and Turkish police, in Istanbul's Taksim Square | Image: Cavit Ozgul / AP/Press Association Images

On Saturday morning, Mr Erdogan sent a mass text message, urging Turks to "stand up" for peace and democracy, calling on them to take to the streets against a "narrow cadre".

At one stage on Friday evening, he conducted an extraordinary television interview, in which he addressed the nation from a mobile phone held up by the presenter.

The Turkish government has accused followers of Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in the United States, of being behind the attempted coup.

Mr Gulen has been accused of trying to build a "parallel structure" within the judiciary, education system, media and military as a way of overthrowing the state, something the cleric denies.

Aerial attacks, explosions and gunfire ripped through Istanbul and the capital Ankara through the night.

Multiple blasts reportedly struck the parliament building in Ankara over the course of several hours, with lawmakers forced to retreat into shelters.

A military jet also dropped a bomb near the presidential palace in Ankara, according to a Turkish TV station, quoted by news agency AFP.

A military helicopter, apparently firing at the offices of the state satellite operator Turksat, was reportedly shot down.

At least three people were wounded when Turkey's intelligence agency headquarters were attacked by military helicopters and heavy machine gun fire, according to an intelligence source speaking to Reuters.

Soldiers also stormed Turkey's state broadcaster TRT, forcing a presenter to read a statement live on air, announcing that the military had "fully seized control" of the country.

Blasts were heard at Istanbul's famous Taksim Square, where large crowds gathered after news of the attempted coup broke.

Meanwhile, Turkish television stations TRT and CNN Turk resumed broadcasting after being stormed by the military and briefly taken off the air.

A live television broadcast showed dozens of pro-coup soldiers who had seized Istanbul's Bosporus bridge abandoning their tanks with their hands in the air.

There were unconfirmed reports of explosions at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, forcing the cancellation or diversion of all commercial flights.

Soldiers loyal to the government have since regained control of the airport, according to one Turkish official.

Turkish Airlines later announced that its operations at the airport were returning to normal and flights were resuming.

While Aer Lingus is offering affected passengers the option to reschedule their flights, or seek a full refund.

Calls for calm

Several world leaders, including US president Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, have issued statements calling for calm.

While the Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan is calling for restraint and respect for democratic institutions in Turkey, following the unrest.

Irish travellers are being urged to avoid non-essential travel to Turkey.

Speaking from Ulaanbaatar where he is attending a Europe-Asia (ASEM) Summit, Minister Flanagan said: "My first concern is for the safety of Irish people travelling to Turkey and those who are already in Turkey.

"Many thousands of Irish people holiday there each year.

"Until we know the situation is calm, we are strongly advising Irish citizens planning to travel to Turkey avoid non-essential travel."

The Irish embassy in Ankara is providing consular assistance on the ground in Turkey.

Any citizens who have concerns can call consular services on 01-408-2000.