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Istanbul shopping area hit by suicide bomber Istanbul shopping area hit by suicide bomber
(about 1 hour later)
A suicide bomb attack at a busy shopping area in the Turkish city of Istanbul has killed at least four people, officials say.A suicide bomb attack at a busy shopping area in the Turkish city of Istanbul has killed at least four people, officials say.
Another 36 were injured - 12 foreign nationals - as the bomb went off near a government building on Istiklal Street.Another 36 were injured - 12 foreign nationals - as the bomb went off near a government building on Istiklal Street.
No-one has admitted carrying out the attack, the latest to target Turkey in recent months.No-one has admitted carrying out the attack, the latest to target Turkey in recent months.
The Turkish government has blamed Kurdish militants for previous attacks and has retaliated against them.The Turkish government has blamed Kurdish militants for previous attacks and has retaliated against them.
Recent attacks in Turkey
How dangerous is Turkey's unrest?
Tears and destruction amid PKK crackdown
Turkey in midst of hideous vortex
Saturday's attack in Istanbul - Turkey's largest city - occurred at about 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT).Saturday's attack in Istanbul - Turkey's largest city - occurred at about 11:00 local time (09:00 GMT).
Uwes Shehadeh was some 500m away when he heard "a horrific and horrible noise". Uwes Shehadeh was some 500m (1,640ft) away when he heard "a horrific and horrible noise".
"People didn't know what was going on. It was very chaotic. Everyone was screaming and running away," he told the BBC."People didn't know what was going on. It was very chaotic. Everyone was screaming and running away," he told the BBC.
"Istanbul is on high alert and people are very worried as to what will happen next.""Istanbul is on high alert and people are very worried as to what will happen next."
Three Israeli tourists were among those injured, local media report say. The Israeli foreign ministry has confirmed Israelis were wounded, but has not given the number or said what condition they are in. Among the foreigners injured were: six Israelis, two Irish citizens, and one national from Germany, Iceland, Dubai and Iran.
Both the so-called Islamic State (IS) and Kurdish militants have claimed recent attacks in Turkey.Both the so-called Islamic State (IS) and Kurdish militants have claimed recent attacks in Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said terror groups are targeting civilians because they are losing their struggle against Turkish security forces.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said terror groups are targeting civilians because they are losing their struggle against Turkish security forces.
Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against IS and allows coalition planes to use its air base at Incirlik for raids on Iraq and Syria.Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against IS and allows coalition planes to use its air base at Incirlik for raids on Iraq and Syria.
At the scene: Rengin Arslan, BBC News, IstanbulAt the scene: Rengin Arslan, BBC News, Istanbul
"Let's not meet outside", is what many were saying to each other in Istanbul, after the suicide bombing in the heart of Ankara less than a week ago. Concern and caution travel fast between Turkish cities."Let's not meet outside", is what many were saying to each other in Istanbul, after the suicide bombing in the heart of Ankara less than a week ago. Concern and caution travel fast between Turkish cities.
On Thursday and on Friday, Germany closed its consulate near Istiklal Street, because of a security threat. Istanbul's local government underestimated the German concern. Unfortunately, the Germans have been proved right.On Thursday and on Friday, Germany closed its consulate near Istiklal Street, because of a security threat. Istanbul's local government underestimated the German concern. Unfortunately, the Germans have been proved right.
Istiklal Street is a popular place for locals and tourists to gather. Now people from different backgrounds share the same fear.Istiklal Street is a popular place for locals and tourists to gather. Now people from different backgrounds share the same fear.
Turkey has never witnessed successive suicide bombings like this before. It is hard to take in what is happening and harder to see what may come next. In this limbo, fear and worry come and go - or stay.Turkey has never witnessed successive suicide bombings like this before. It is hard to take in what is happening and harder to see what may come next. In this limbo, fear and worry come and go - or stay.
It has also been carrying out a campaign of bombardment against Syrian Kurdish fighters of the People's Protection Units (YPG), which it regards as a extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).It has also been carrying out a campaign of bombardment against Syrian Kurdish fighters of the People's Protection Units (YPG), which it regards as a extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
A two-year-old ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK broke down last summer.A two-year-old ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK broke down last summer.
Since then, more than 340 members of Turkey's security forces have been killed along with at least 300 Kurdish fighters and more than 200 civilians.Since then, more than 340 members of Turkey's security forces have been killed along with at least 300 Kurdish fighters and more than 200 civilians.
The TAK (Kurdistan Freedom Hawks) was formed in 2004. It is regarded as the hard-line offshoot of the PKK, rejecting any attempt at ceasefire talks with the Turkish state. Recent attacks in Turkey
How dangerous is Turkey's unrest?
Tears and destruction amid PKK crackdown
Turkey in midst of hideous vortex
The TAK (Kurdistan Freedom Hawks) was formed in 2004. It is regarded as the hardline offshoot of the PKK, rejecting any attempt at ceasefire talks with the Turkish state.
The PKK has been fighting for autonomy for Turkey's Kurdish minority for decades and has carried out regular attacks on Turkish security forces.The PKK has been fighting for autonomy for Turkey's Kurdish minority for decades and has carried out regular attacks on Turkish security forces.
Are you in Istanbul? Have you been affected? If it is safe for you to do so, please get in touch: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Istanbul? Have you been affected? If it is safe for you to do so, please get in touch: 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:
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