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Deadly blasts hit Turkey border town of Reyhanli | Deadly blasts hit Turkey border town of Reyhanli |
(34 minutes later) | |
At least 18 people have been killed and more than 22 wounded in car bomb attacks in a Turkish town close to the Syrian border, the interior minister has said. | At least 18 people have been killed and more than 22 wounded in car bomb attacks in a Turkish town close to the Syrian border, the interior minister has said. |
The blasts were reported at the town hall and post office in the town of Reyhanli, in Hatay province. | |
Thousands of refugees have fled Syria across the Reyhanli border. | Thousands of refugees have fled Syria across the Reyhanli border. |
Five people were killed last October when a mortar round hit the Turkish border town of Akcakale. | Five people were killed last October when a mortar round hit the Turkish border town of Akcakale. |
As many as four explosions were reported at around 13:55 local time (10:55 GMT), causing panic in the town, Turkish media said. | |
Several ambulances were helping the injured and eyewitnesses described the blast damage as extensive - with many shops and homes having their windows blow out, and vehicles destroyed. | |
Emergency services were looking for other possible victims buried under rubble. | |
The town hall was among buildings that were badly damaged, reports said. | |
Local media reported that local people attacked cars with Syrian number-plates and Syrian refugees after the attack. | Local media reported that local people attacked cars with Syrian number-plates and Syrian refugees after the attack. |
Interior Minister Muammer Guler promised an investigation. | Interior Minister Muammer Guler promised an investigation. |
Tensions high | |
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey would protect itself. | Meanwhile Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey would protect itself. |
"There may be those who want to sabotage Turkey's peace, but we will not allow that," he said during a visit to Berlin. | |
"No-one should attempt to test Turkey's power. Our security forces will take all necessary measures." | |
He added that the blasts had taken place to deflect attention from efforts to solve the Syrian crisis. | |
The border area of Reyhanli has itself been attacked in recent months. In February, 13 people were killed and more than 20 others wounded when a mortar round landed close to a border gate. | The border area of Reyhanli has itself been attacked in recent months. In February, 13 people were killed and more than 20 others wounded when a mortar round landed close to a border gate. |
The Turkish government has been a key supporter of the Syrian opposition, and has allowed rebels as well as refugees onto its territory. | The Turkish government has been a key supporter of the Syrian opposition, and has allowed rebels as well as refugees onto its territory. |
But tensions in the Reyhanli area have been high for several weeks, reports say, with clashes between Turkish and Syrian youths. | But tensions in the Reyhanli area have been high for several weeks, reports say, with clashes between Turkish and Syrian youths. |