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Turkish PM says Isis likely perpetrator of wedding blast which killed at least 30 Erdoğan blames Isis for Turkey wedding blast which killed at least 30
(about 1 hour later)
A bomb attack targeting an outdoor wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, which has killed at least 30 people and wounded 94 others, is likely to have been perpetrated by Isis, says the country’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A bomb attack targeting an outdoor wedding party in south-eastern Turkey, which has killed at least 30 people and wounded 94 others, is likely to have been perpetrated by Isis, the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said.
Earlier the deputy prime minister, Mehmet Simsek, said the “barbaric” attack in the city of Gaziantep, near the border with Syria, appeared to be a suicide bombing.Earlier the deputy prime minister, Mehmet Simsek, said the “barbaric” attack in the city of Gaziantep, near the border with Syria, appeared to be a suicide bombing.
Photos taken after the explosion showed several bodies covered with white sheets as a crowd gathered nearby.Photos taken after the explosion showed several bodies covered with white sheets as a crowd gathered nearby.
The Gaziantep governor’s office raised the death toll early on Sunday from 22 to 30. It said the number of wounded remained at 94.The Gaziantep governor’s office raised the death toll early on Sunday from 22 to 30. It said the number of wounded remained at 94.
Related: Turkey announces more active role in Syria conflictRelated: Turkey announces more active role in Syria conflict
Simsek, interviewed on NTV television, said, “This was a barbaric attack. It appears to be a suicide attack. All terror groups, the PKK, Daesh, the [Gulen movement] are targeting Turkey. But God willing, we will overcome.” Daesh is an Arabic name for Isis.
A brief statement from the Gaziantep governor’s office said the bomb attack on the wedding in the Sahinbey district occurred at 10.50pm. The statement condemned the “treacherous” attack, but did not provide further details.
Mehmet Tascioglu, a local journalist, told NTV television, that the huge explosion could be heard in many parts of the city.
Turkey has been rocked by a wave of attacks in the past year that have either been claimed by Kurdish militants linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party known by its acronym PKK or were blamed on Isis. In June, suspected Isis militants attacked Istanbul’s main airport with guns and bombs, killing 44 people.Turkey has been rocked by a wave of attacks in the past year that have either been claimed by Kurdish militants linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party known by its acronym PKK or were blamed on Isis. In June, suspected Isis militants attacked Istanbul’s main airport with guns and bombs, killing 44 people.
The attack comes as the country is still reeling from last month’s failed coup attempt which the government has blamed on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and his followers.The attack comes as the country is still reeling from last month’s failed coup attempt which the government has blamed on US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen and his followers.
Earlier this week, a string of bombings blamed on the PKK that targeted police and soldiers, killed at least a dozen people. A fragile, two-and-a-half-year peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed last year, leading to a resumption of the three-decade conflict.Earlier this week, a string of bombings blamed on the PKK that targeted police and soldiers, killed at least a dozen people. A fragile, two-and-a-half-year peace process between the PKK and the government collapsed last year, leading to a resumption of the three-decade conflict.
Simsek, interviewed on NTV television, said, “This was a barbaric attack. It appears to be a suicide attack. All terror groups, the PKK, Daesh, the (Gulen movement) are targeting Turkey. But God willing, we will overcome.” Daesh is an Arabic name forn Isis.
A brief statement from the Gaziantep governor’s office said the bomb attack on the wedding in the Sahinbey district occurred at 10.50pm. The statement condemned the “treacherous” attack, but did not provide further details.
Mehmet Tascioglu, a local journalist, told NTV television, that the huge explosion could be heard in many parts of the city.
At least 30 people have been killed in a bomb attack targeting an outdoor wedding ceremony in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep, officials have said.
The governor’s office for the province of Gaziantep said 94 people were wounded in the blast on Saturday.
The deputy prime minister, Mehmet Simsek, said the “barbaric” attack near the border with Syria appeared to be a suicide bombing. Other officials said it could have been the carried out by either Kurdish militants or Islamic State.
Gaziantep’s governor, Ali Yerlikaya, said the explosion in the city centre was due to a “terror attack”, according to Anadolu, a state-run news agency.
It was not clear who was responsible for the explosion. Erdoğan said there was a high possibility it was a suicide attack, adding that it was the type of attack that could have been by Islamic State or the Kurdistan Workers’ party.
The Doğan news agency said the explosion, which went off at 2040 BST, had caused injuries and fatalities.
A Turkish official confirmed an explosion in Gaziantep but would not say how many casualties there were. “The explosion took place during a wedding,” the official said. “According to initially available information, the ceremony was being held outdoors.”