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Istanbul bomb attack on police bus 'kills 11' Istanbul bomb attack on police bus 'kills 11'
(35 minutes later)
A car bomb attack targeting a police bus has killed at least 11 people in central Istanbul, officials say.A car bomb attack targeting a police bus has killed at least 11 people in central Istanbul, officials say.
The explosives were remotely detonated as the vehicle passed through the busy Vezneciler district at the morning rush hour.The explosives were remotely detonated as the vehicle passed through the busy Vezneciler district at the morning rush hour.
No group has said it carried out the attack.No group has said it carried out the attack.
Violence in Turkey has escalated recently as a result of tensions with Kurdish separatists and the conflict in neighbouring Syria.Violence in Turkey has escalated recently as a result of tensions with Kurdish separatists and the conflict in neighbouring Syria.
Suspicion is likely to fall on Kurdish militants who have claimed other attacks targeting security personnel in Turkey this year, says the BBC's Mark Lowen, in Istanbul. Suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or one of its offshoots who have claimed other attacks on security targets in Turkey this year, says the BBC's Mark Lowen, in Istanbul.
The explosion happened near the city's historic Beyazit Square neighbourhood, a major tourist attraction, and an Istanbul university building.The explosion happened near the city's historic Beyazit Square neighbourhood, a major tourist attraction, and an Istanbul university building.
Four civilians and seven police officers were among the dead, Istanbul's governor, Vasip Sahin, said. Some 36 other people were injured, he added.Four civilians and seven police officers were among the dead, Istanbul's governor, Vasip Sahin, said. Some 36 other people were injured, he added.
How dangerous is Turkey's unrest?How dangerous is Turkey's unrest?
Turkey in midst of hideous vortexTurkey in midst of hideous vortex
Pictures showed a police bus completely destroyed lying on the side of the street. A second police bus was damaged.
Several other vehicles were charred and the facades of nearby buildings were also badly hit.
"There was a loud bang. We thought it was lightning, but right at that second the windows of the shop came down. It was extremely scary," an unidentified eyewitness told Reuters news agency."There was a loud bang. We thought it was lightning, but right at that second the windows of the shop came down. It was extremely scary," an unidentified eyewitness told Reuters news agency.
The blast was strong enough to topple all the goods from the shelves of his store, it added. 'Cold-hearted'
Turkey's Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said the attackers were "cold-heartedly" exploding bombs on the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which is in its second day.
In an interview with state-run TRT television, he also said Turkey was fighting on all fronts against "any form of terrorism."
Recent attacks in TurkeyRecent attacks in Turkey
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
Tears and destruction amid PKK crackdownTears and destruction amid PKK crackdown
The so-called Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish militants have both carried out bloody attacks in Turkey in recent months. The country has been hit by bloody attacks in recent months by the so-called Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish militants.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said militants are targeting civilians because they are losing their struggle against Turkish security forces.President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said militants 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.
The country has also been waging an offensive against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which fights for autonomy in the majority-Kurdish areas in Turkey's south-east. The country has also been waging an offensive against the PKK, which fights for autonomy in the majority-Kurdish areas in Turkey's south-east.
A two-year-old ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK broke down last summer. Since then, violence has killed hundreds of Turkish security forces, Kurdish fighters and civilians.A two-year-old ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK broke down last summer. Since then, violence has killed hundreds of Turkish security forces, Kurdish fighters and civilians.
Turkey, the EU and US refer to the PKK as a terrorist organisation.Turkey, the EU and US refer to the PKK as a terrorist organisation.
An offshoot of the group, the TAK, carried out two attacks on police vehicles in Ankara this year.An offshoot of the group, the TAK, carried out two attacks on police vehicles in Ankara this year.
The government and western intelligence groups believe the TAK is an alias of the PKK. The government and western intelligence groups believe TAK is an alias of the PKK.
Are you in Istanbul? Have you been affected by today's attack? Do you live nearby or did you see what happened?Are you in Istanbul? Have you been affected by today's attack? Do you live nearby or did you see what happened?
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