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Istanbul stadium attacks: Turkey points finger at PKK Istanbul stadium attacks: Kurdish TAK group claim attacks
(35 minutes later)
The Turkish government says Kurdish militants appear to be responsible for twin bomb attacks on police outside a stadium in Istanbul on Saturday. The Kurdish militant group TAK says it carried out Saturday's deadly attack on police outside a stadium in Istanbul.
Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus said initial findings pointed towards the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has targeted security forces in the past. The TAK, an offshoot of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), made the claim on its website.
At least 38 people died near Istanbul's Vodafone Arena when attackers struck after a top-division football match. At least 38 people died near the Vodafone Arena in the centre of the city when a car bomb hit a police vehicle and a suicide bomber blew himself up nearby.
A car bomb hit a police vehicle and a suicide bomber blew himself up nearby. The TAK has said it was behind other deadly attacks in Turkey this year.
Mr Numan told CNN Turk news channel that about 300-400kg (660-880lb) of explosives had been used in Saturday evening's attack. Earlier on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said initial findings pointed towards the PKK.
"Arrows point" to the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), he added. No group has said it carried out the bombings. The BBC's Mark Lowen in Istanbul says many Turks believe TAK is the PKK under a different name.
Attacks in Turkey this year have been carried out both by the PKK and so-called Islamic State (IS). Mr Numan said that about 300-400kg (660-880lb) of explosives had been used in Saturday evening's attack.
Turkey is a member of the US-led coalition fighting IS. It is also facing a renewed conflict with the banned PKK in south-eastern Turkey. Turkey has been facing renewed conflict with the banned PKK in south-eastern Turkey.
President Erdogan told reporters that Turkey would fight "the scourge of terrorism to the end", and promised that the attackers would pay a "heavy price". President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters on Sunday that Turkey would fight "the scourge of terrorism to the end", and promised that the attackers would pay a "heavy price".
Turkey's vulnerability - by Mark Lowen, BBC News, IstanbulTurkey's vulnerability - by Mark Lowen, BBC News, Istanbul
The site of the attack reopened swiftly, with floral tributes laid on the ground and people bearing Turkish flags. The government is as always keen to give a sense that the situation is under control.The site of the attack reopened swiftly, with floral tributes laid on the ground and people bearing Turkish flags. The government is as always keen to give a sense that the situation is under control.
But beneath the surface, Turkey feels vulnerable and afraid that it can't stop the wave of bombings. The government has vowed revenge and President Erdogan says terrorism will be crushed.But beneath the surface, Turkey feels vulnerable and afraid that it can't stop the wave of bombings. The government has vowed revenge and President Erdogan says terrorism will be crushed.
But perhaps the most tumultuous year in Turkey's history means many will see the words as empty rhetoric. This is, though, a defiant nation. One protester told me terrorists "aimed to keep us at home, scared of going out. We can't do that. We must show unity against this threat".But perhaps the most tumultuous year in Turkey's history means many will see the words as empty rhetoric. This is, though, a defiant nation. One protester told me terrorists "aimed to keep us at home, scared of going out. We can't do that. We must show unity against this threat".
After bombings by the PKK and IS and an attempted coup, Turkey finishes 2016 angry, grieving and even more politically polarised. A toxic mix for a country that has seemingly lost its way.After bombings by the PKK and IS and an attempted coup, Turkey finishes 2016 angry, grieving and even more politically polarised. A toxic mix for a country that has seemingly lost its way.
Turkey country profileTurkey country profile
Who are Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels?Who are Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels?
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 13 people had been arrested after the latest blasts, but gave no details.Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 13 people had been arrested after the latest blasts, but gave no details.
Thirty of those killed were police officers. Dozens of people remain in hospital, some in intensive care.Thirty of those killed were police officers. Dozens of people remain in hospital, some in intensive care.
Turkey has declared a day of national mourning. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the explosions had "aimed to maximise casualties". Turkey has declared a day of national mourning. President Erdogan said the explosions had "aimed to maximise casualties".
But they came two hours after the end of the match between top-division teams Bursaspor and Besiktas at the Vodafone Arena in central Istanbul. But they came two hours after the end of the match between top-division teams Bursaspor and Besiktas.
Local media reported that fans had already dispersed. Bursaspor posted on Twitter that it knew of no injuries to its supporters.Local media reported that fans had already dispersed. Bursaspor posted on Twitter that it knew of no injuries to its supporters.
Deadly attacks in Turkey this yearDeadly attacks in Turkey this year
20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected20 August: Bomb attack on wedding party in Gaziantep kills at least 30 people, IS suspected
30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters who try to storm a military base are killed by the Turkish army30 July: 35 Kurdish fighters who try to storm a military base are killed by the Turkish army
28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants28 June: A gun and bomb attack on Ataturk airport in Istanbul kills 41 people, in an attack blamed on IS militants
13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara13 March: 37 people are killed by Kurdish militants in a suicide car bombing in Ankara
17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara17 February: 28 people die in an attack on a military convoy in Ankara
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