Deadly explosion rocks central Istanbul street - CNN

Istanbul CNN  — 

At slightest six radical person been killed and 53 injured successful an detonation successful the bosom of the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul connected Sunday afternoon, according to the city’s governor.

Those who were injured are being treated, the governor, Ali Yerlikaya, added.

“We privation God’s mercy connected those who mislaid their lives and a speedy betterment to the injured,” helium tweeted.

Yerlikaya earlier confirmed that the detonation took spot connected Istiklal Street successful Beyoglu Square and that exigency services were astatine the scene. “Developments volition beryllium shared with the public,” helium said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the detonation mightiness beryllium terror-related, but that it is not definite astatine this point.

In a quality conference, Erdogan said: “It whitethorn beryllium incorrect if we accidental this is decidedly panic but according to preliminary findings, what my governors told us, that determination is simply a odor of panic here.”

The president besides said that, according to preliminary information, a pistillate played a relation successful the detonation and that the Istanbul constabulary main and authorities successful the Istanbul Governor’s bureau were reviewing CCTV footage.

“All the liable figures volition beryllium identified and punished,” Erdogan said.

He added that helium and his delegation would beryllium departing soon for the G20 acme successful Bali, Indonesia, arsenic planned.

An probe has been launched into the explosion, the country’s authoritative Anadolu quality bureau reported.

Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has begun the investigation, with 5 nationalist prosecutors assigned to it, according to the agency.

The city’s transgression tribunal issued a broadcast prohibition connected each ocular and audio news, arsenic good connected societal media sites, related to the explosion, Anadolu added.

Local media reports and images from the country showed a ample fig of exigency vehicles successful the aftermath of the blast, with astatine slightest 1 idiosyncratic receiving aesculapian attention. Some radical could beryllium seen fleeing the country successful the pictures and the country was being cordoned disconnected by information services.

One eyewitness, writer Tariq Keblaoui, told CNN that respective radical could beryllium seen lying connected the crushed pursuing the blast connected Istiklal Street.

Keblaoui said helium was successful a store connected Istiklal Street erstwhile the detonation occurred astir 10 meters up of him.

The grade of the injuries of those helium saw was not wide but respective radical were bleeding from their legs and arms, helium said.

Keblaoui said Istiklal Street, a fashionable tourer area, was heavy crowded connected Sunday. Istiklal Street is 1 of the main streets starring to Taksim Square.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu called for assistance for constabulary and wellness idiosyncratic teams arsenic they respond to the detonation successful the city.

“It is indispensable to assistance our constabulary and wellness teams regarding the detonation connected Istiklal Street, and to debar posts that whitethorn origin fearfulness and panic. All applicable teams are successful the region, we volition supply steadfast information,” helium tweeted.

The quality of the detonation was met with dismay connected the planetary stage, with Charles Michel, European Council President, saying: “Horrific quality from Istanbul tonight. Condolences to the victims of the detonation astatine Istiqlal.

“All our thoughts are with those presently responding and the radical of Türkiye astatine this precise distressing time.”

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his “sincere condolences to the radical of Turkey and the citizens of Istanbul,” adding: “In presumption of the horrific detonation this day successful the bosom of Beyoğlu my thoughts are with the families of the victims. Wishing a speedy betterment to each injured.”

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: “Italy expresses its closeness to the Turkish authorities and radical and its heartfelt condolences for the guiltless victims. Our situation portion is monitoring the concern and contacting our compatriots.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif besides expressed his country’s condolences, tweeting: “I person learnt with heavy anguish astir the detonation astatine fashionable Istiklal avenue successful the bosom of Istanbul.”