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Istanbul blast targets bus carrying police officers Istanbul blast: 11 dead in bomb attack on police vehicle
(35 minutes later)
A bomb attack has targeted a police vehicle in a central Istanbul district, killing two people and injuring eight, Turkish state media reported. Eleven people have been killed and 36 injured in a bomb attack targeting a police vehicle in central Istanbul, the Turkish city’s governor has said.
The remote-controlled bomb exploded as a shuttle bus carrying police officers was passing in the Beyazit district of the city on Tuesday morning, Turkey’s state-run TRT channel reported. The blast occurred on a busy intersection in the Beyazit district, near an Istanbul University building. The explosion was caused by a bomb placed inside a car and was detonated as the police vehicle was passing by, governor Vasip Sahin said.
Ambulances and fire engines were dispatched to the scene. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Seven of the dead were police officers, and three of the injured were in a critical condition, he added.
The police bus was overturned from the force of the blast, which also damaged nearby buildings, including a hotel whose entrance appeared gutted and windows were blown out. Several cars were also wrecked.
There was no immediate responsibility claim and Sahin would not comment on who may be behind the attack.
Turkey is on high security alert after two deadly attacks in Istanbul this year blamed on Islamic State jihadis, and twin attacks in Ankara that killed dozens and were claimed by Kurdish militants.Turkey is on high security alert after two deadly attacks in Istanbul this year blamed on Islamic State jihadis, and twin attacks in Ankara that killed dozens and were claimed by Kurdish militants.
More: footage coming from the explosion area where a parked vehicle detonated during police vehicle passing #Turkeypic.twitter.com/G5gePk8l50More: footage coming from the explosion area where a parked vehicle detonated during police vehicle passing #Turkeypic.twitter.com/G5gePk8l50
The Ankara attacks were claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), a radical splinter group of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK). PKK rebels have been targeting police and military targets since July when a fragile peace process collapsed.The Ankara attacks were claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK), a radical splinter group of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK). PKK rebels have been targeting police and military targets since July when a fragile peace process collapsed.
The PKK is fighting for autonomy for Turkey’s Kurds in the south-east of the country. It has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state in a conflict that has claimed 40,000 lives. The group is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its allies.The PKK is fighting for autonomy for Turkey’s Kurds in the south-east of the country. It has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state in a conflict that has claimed 40,000 lives. The group is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its allies.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report