Istanbul
CNN
—
An explosion that killed at the very least six folks and injured at the very least 81 others in Istantbul on Sunday has been deemed a terrorist assault, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay mentioned, based on state information company Anadolu.
“We consider it to be a terrorist act as a result of an attacker, whom we consider to be a woman, detonating the bomb,” Oktay advised reporters Sunday.
The blast occurred on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Square, within the coronary heart of Turkey’s largest metropolis, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya mentioned.
“We wish God’s mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured,” Yerlikaya tweeted.
Earlier Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned the explosion is perhaps terror-related, however he was not but sure.
“It may be wrong if we say this is definitely terror, but according to preliminary findings, what my governors told us, that there is a smell of terror here,” Erdogan mentioned at a information convention.
He mentioned authorities have been reviewing CCTV footage.
“All the responsible figures will be identified and punished,” the president mentioned.
Erdogan mentioned he and his delegation would proceed plans to attend the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation, with 5 public prosecutors assigned, the nation’s official Anadolu information company reported.
The metropolis’s felony court docket issued a broadcast ban on all visible and audio information, as nicely on social media websites, associated to the explosion, Anadolu added.
Local media studies and photographs from the world confirmed a massive variety of emergency automobiles within the aftermath of the blast. Some folks could possibly be seen fleeing the scene, and the world was being cordoned off by safety providers.
One witness, journalist Tariq Keblaoui, advised CNN he was in a retailer on Istiklal Street when the explosion occurred about 10 meters forward of him.
He mentioned a number of folks could possibly be seen mendacity on the bottom following the blast.
The extent of the accidents of these he noticed was not clear, however a number of folks have been bleeding from their legs and arms, Keblaoui mentioned.
He mentioned Istiklal Street, a fashionable vacationer space, was closely crowded on Sunday. Istiklal Street is one of many principal streets resulting in Taksim Square.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu referred to as for help for police and well being employee groups as they reply to the explosion.
“It is essential to assist our police and health teams regarding the explosion on Istiklal Street, and to avoid posts that may cause fear and panic. All relevant teams are in the region, we will provide healthy information,” he tweeted.
News of the explosion was met with dismay internationally.
“Horrific news from Istanbul tonight. Condolences to the victims of the explosion at Istiqlal,” European Council President Charles Michel mentioned. “All our thoughts are with those currently responding and the people of Türkiye at this very distressing time.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tweeted his “deepest condolences” to the Turkish folks, including that NATO “stands in solidarity with our ally” Turkey.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his “sincere condolences to the people of Turkey and the citizens of Istanbul,” including: “In view of the horrific explosion this afternoon in the heart of Beyoğlu my thoughts are with the families of the victims. Wishing a speedy recovery to all injured.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned: “Italy expresses its closeness to the Turkish government and people and its heartfelt condolences for the innocent victims. Our crisis unit is monitoring the situation and contacting our compatriots.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted of his “deep sadness” on the information of the blast. “I offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Zelensky mentioned. “The pain of the friendly Turkish people is our pain.”