Five people died and at least 36 were injured in suicide bomb attack in central Istanbul today.
The event took place in front of the local governor’s office of Beyoğlu, near the busy İstiklal Avenue in Taksim.
An investigation has been launched into the attack.
Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said 36 people, including 12 foreign nationals and a child, were injured, and seven of the victims in hospitals were in critical condition.
“We as a nation are unfortunately now face to face with a situation of unlimited, immeasurable acts that are inhumane, defy human values and are treacherous,” Müezzinoğlu said.
Three Israeli citizens were among the injured, Doğan News Agency reported.
A senior Turkish official told Reuters that initial findings indicate that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) or an affiliate carried out the bombing.
“The attacker detonated the bomb before reaching the targeted point because they were scared of the police,” the official said, adding the bomber had planned to hit a more crowded spot.
The pedestrian street was completely sealed off after the attack.
Turkey’s Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) imposed a temporary ban on broadcasting pictures and video footage from the scene of the attack.
Hurriyet
