The Russian foreign ministry urged Russian citizens on Friday to defer travel to Nepal for personal security reasons. “The internal political situation in the Kingdom of Nepal has recently deteriorated,” the ministry said. “Mass demonstrations against the government accompanied by acts of violence have spread over the country.”

The Foreign Office has advised “against all but essential travel” to Nepal because of enhanced tension in the Himalayan country.

Three people have been killed and hundreds injured as police opened fire on crowds. There have also been hundreds of arrests.

The Foreign Office (FO) warned there was a risk of visiting Britons getting caught up in violence on the streets.

“Those British nationals already in Nepal should decide whether their presence there is essential,” the FO said. “We will keep this advice under close review.”