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Ankara explosions leave more than 80 dead - officials | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two explosions at a peace rally in the Turkish capital Ankara have killed at least 86 people and injured 186, according to officials. | |
TV footage shows scenes of panic and people lying on the ground covered in blood, amid protest banners. | TV footage shows scenes of panic and people lying on the ground covered in blood, amid protest banners. |
The blasts took place near the city's central train station as people gathered for a march organised by leftist groups. | The blasts took place near the city's central train station as people gathered for a march organised by leftist groups. |
Turkey's president condemned the attacks as "terrorist acts". | Turkey's president condemned the attacks as "terrorist acts". |
Government officials are investigating reports that a suicide bomber was behind at least one of the explosions. | Government officials are investigating reports that a suicide bomber was behind at least one of the explosions. |
The pro-Kurdish HDP party was among those attending the rally, which was demanding an end to the violence between the Kurdish separatist PKK militants and the Turkish government. | The pro-Kurdish HDP party was among those attending the rally, which was demanding an end to the violence between the Kurdish separatist PKK militants and the Turkish government. |
The party said in a statement that it believes its members were the main target of the bombings. | The party said in a statement that it believes its members were the main target of the bombings. |
The leader of the HDP has blamed the state for the attack, which he called "a huge massacre", and cancelled all election rallies. | The leader of the HDP has blamed the state for the attack, which he called "a huge massacre", and cancelled all election rallies. |
Turkey is holding a re-run of June's inconclusive parliamentary elections on 1 November. | Turkey is holding a re-run of June's inconclusive parliamentary elections on 1 November. |
Later on Saturday, the PKK called on its fighters to halt its guerrilla activities in Turkey unless attacked first, according to reports on a news site close to the group. | Later on Saturday, the PKK called on its fighters to halt its guerrilla activities in Turkey unless attacked first, according to reports on a news site close to the group. |
The HDP was among those joining Saturday's rally for "peace and democracy", called for by the confederation of trades unions, which was due to start at 12:00 local time. | The HDP was among those joining Saturday's rally for "peace and democracy", called for by the confederation of trades unions, which was due to start at 12:00 local time. |
The two explosions happened shortly after 10:00 as crowds gathered ahead of the rally. Amateur video footage showed a group of young people holding hands and singing, before the first blast. | The two explosions happened shortly after 10:00 as crowds gathered ahead of the rally. Amateur video footage showed a group of young people holding hands and singing, before the first blast. |
The HDP tweeted that police "attacked" people carrying the injured away. | The HDP tweeted that police "attacked" people carrying the injured away. |
Opposition MP Musa Cam tweeted a photo of a ball bearing he says he found at the scene. | Opposition MP Musa Cam tweeted a photo of a ball bearing he says he found at the scene. |
Analysis: Mark Lowen, BBC News, Istanbul | Analysis: Mark Lowen, BBC News, Istanbul |
After the ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish state broke down in July, Turkey has spiralled into tit-for-tat attacks between the two sides, and tension between Kurds and Turkish nationalists has soared. | After the ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish state broke down in July, Turkey has spiralled into tit-for-tat attacks between the two sides, and tension between Kurds and Turkish nationalists has soared. |
Amidst the frenzy of a repeat election in November, it was expected that something dangerous was imminent. | Amidst the frenzy of a repeat election in November, it was expected that something dangerous was imminent. |
The pro-Kurdish HDP party has blamed the state. That is undoubtedly a reference to the so-called "deep state" often talked about here: a shady mix of nationalist forces either colluding with or supporting the government in power. | The pro-Kurdish HDP party has blamed the state. That is undoubtedly a reference to the so-called "deep state" often talked about here: a shady mix of nationalist forces either colluding with or supporting the government in power. |
The West's vital ally in the Middle East is now facing a perfect storm: deep political polarisation, the bubble of economic success on the brink of bursting, a resumption of violence with the PKK, the threat from Islamic State, and two million Syrian refugees and counting. | The West's vital ally in the Middle East is now facing a perfect storm: deep political polarisation, the bubble of economic success on the brink of bursting, a resumption of violence with the PKK, the threat from Islamic State, and two million Syrian refugees and counting. |
The tragedy in Ankara is a sign of the dark times Turkey is now facing. | The tragedy in Ankara is a sign of the dark times Turkey is now facing. |
Bulent Tekdemir, who was at the rally, told the BBC that the police used tear gas "as soon as the bomb went off", and "would not let ambulances through". | Bulent Tekdemir, who was at the rally, told the BBC that the police used tear gas "as soon as the bomb went off", and "would not let ambulances through". |
Local resident Emre said he heard two separate explosions and saw a number of dead bodies. Angry people tried to attack police cars, he told the BBC. | Local resident Emre said he heard two separate explosions and saw a number of dead bodies. Angry people tried to attack police cars, he told the BBC. |
An HDP rally in the city of Diyarbakir was bombed in June, ahead of general elections in which the party entered parliament for the first time. | An HDP rally in the city of Diyarbakir was bombed in June, ahead of general elections in which the party entered parliament for the first time. |
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul says it was feared that another similar attack was imminent, as voters prepare to go to the polls once more. | The BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul says it was feared that another similar attack was imminent, as voters prepare to go to the polls once more. |
In July, a suicide bombing by suspected Islamic State militants on a gathering of Socialist youth activists in the town of Suruc on the Syrian border killed at least 30 people. | In July, a suicide bombing by suspected Islamic State militants on a gathering of Socialist youth activists in the town of Suruc on the Syrian border killed at least 30 people. |
A ceasefire between the Kurdish militant group the PKK and Turkey's government later broke down, and there have been regular attacks from both sides since then. | A ceasefire between the Kurdish militant group the PKK and Turkey's government later broke down, and there have been regular attacks from both sides since then. |
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has happened? If it is safe to do so, please email your experience to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by what has happened? If it is safe to do so, please email your experience to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |