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Dolmabahce Palace 'attack': Gunfire and large explosion heard in central Istanbul, Turkey Dolmabahce Palace 'attack': Shots fired at guards at tourist attraction in central Istanbul, Turkey
(34 minutes later)
Gunfire and a large "explosion" have reportedly been heard outside the Dolmabahce Palace in central Istanbul, a popular destination for tourists visiting Turkey. Gunfire and a possible large "explosion" have been heard outside the Dolmabahce Palace in central Istanbul, a popular destination for tourists visiting Turkey.
Police responded on the scene and opened fire with automatic weapons, according to the local Hurriyet newspaper.Police responded on the scene and opened fire with automatic weapons, according to the local Hurriyet newspaper.
It reported that two people were "caught" by police, near the German consulate. Al Jazeera Turkey also reported that two men, themselves armed with automatic weapons, had been detained.It reported that two people were "caught" by police, near the German consulate. Al Jazeera Turkey also reported that two men, themselves armed with automatic weapons, had been detained.
One policeman was "lightly wounded" in the attack, according to the Anadolu news agency. Multiple local media reports suggested no one was killed or badly injured, and a large area around the palace was cordoned off from the public.
Photo: Police respond to incident in central Istanbul near tourist sites - hakankaraaytu pic.twitter.com/WJu5fJo90gPhoto: Police respond to incident in central Istanbul near tourist sites - hakankaraaytu pic.twitter.com/WJu5fJo90g
Dolmabahçe'de silah sesleri. Olay yerinden ilk görüntüler http://t.co/jHKzsYvV5R pic.twitter.com/N5YB6sO0z7Dolmabahçe'de silah sesleri. Olay yerinden ilk görüntüler http://t.co/jHKzsYvV5R pic.twitter.com/N5YB6sO0z7
Multiple local news agencies reported that no one was killed or injured during the attack, while a large area around the palace was cordoned off from the public. Scene at Dolmabache Palace where two armed men attacked police in #Istanbul #Turkey. Arrested, all seems calm now. pic.twitter.com/9veQFxKaSx
The Dolmabahce Palace holds historical significance as the seat of power for the Ottoman Empire, and the final resting place where Mustafa Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his last few days and died.The Dolmabahce Palace holds historical significance as the seat of power for the Ottoman Empire, and the final resting place where Mustafa Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his last few days and died.
The modern Prime Minister's offices are located nearby.The modern Prime Minister's offices are located nearby.
Police in Istanbul did not provide an immediate statement on the developing story, but it comes amid an escalation of violence between Turkey and separatist Kurdish rebels.
Turkey has also recently declared it will wage a war on two fronts in northern Syria, jointing an alliance with the US to strike against the advance of the Isis militant group.
A recent video published online by Isis, and voiced by a Turkish-speaking fighter, urged people in Istanbul and elsewhere to "rise up" against the government of President Recep Erdogan, who was described in the video as "Satan".
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