A powerful explosion rocked the busy pedestrian Istiklal Street in the center of Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
According to initial information from local media, eleven people were injured and four were killed. According to some reports, there are more victims. The explosion is believed to have been caused by a suicide bomber. The media also claim that the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber, but there is no official data on this.
The first official statement was made by the governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya, writes a Turkish edition. yenisafak. Governor Yerlikaya said that there were victims and injured. He noted that an official statement will be made when everything clears up. RTÜK President Shaheen said:
“We have received news of the explosion in Taksim. We are closely following developments. Please do not rely on information from a dubious source, let’s have information from reliable sources. Let’s not spread false information out of ignorance.”
The Istanbul Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation into the terrorist attack on the fact of the explosion. DHA correspondent Hasan Yildirim reported from the area of the tragedy:
“Civilians are being driven away from the scene. There was a strong explosion. After the incident became known, firefighters and ambulances went to the scene. There was an explosion in the building or on the street.”
The special services cordoned off the area, dozens of ambulances and police forces were sent there. The information is being specified.
Terrible footage of the tragedy appeared on the network, local residents captured them using their phones. They show people walking along a busy street, then a bright flash illuminates it, an explosion is heard, and they scatter in a panic.
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