11 dead, 36 wounded.
- 11 dead, 36 wounded. Seven police among victims, and four civilians – city governor
- suspected car bomb detonated by remote device targeting police vehicle
- blast occurred near Istanbul University and Grand Bazaar
ADVERTISEMENTAt least 11 people have been killed, and 36 others are wounded, in a suspected car bomb attack in Istanbul, according to the city governor.
Reports suggest a car packed with explosives was detonated by remote control as a Turkish police bus passed by in the central district of Vezneciler.
Governor Vasip Sahin told reporters near the scene that seven of the dead were police officers. Three of the wounded are in a critical condition, he added.
The blast occurred during the morning rush hour near Istanbul university and the city’s historic quarter, a major draw for tourists.
11 killed, 36 wounded in car bomb attack on police vehicle in Istanbul https://t.co/302W1E4r3ppic.twitter.com/Np7bpdmY2h
— Hürriyet Daily News (@HDNER) June 7, 2016
Euronews correspondent Bora Bayraktar in Istanbul reported that a controlled explosion would take place in the area.
Explosion targeting police busses near Istanbul Municipality, Istanbul University.
euronews</a> <a href="https://t.co/FZ6K1nNFaj">pic.twitter.com/FZ6K1nNFaj</a></p>— Bora Bayraktar (Bora_Bayraktar) June 7, 2016
Turkish television has broadcast mobile phone footage of a blackened and mangled vehicle on the street.
There has been no claim of responsibility. Kurdish militants, ISIL and radical leftists have been behind recent attacks in Turkey.
With the Syrian civil war across the border, Turkish security forces are continuing operations in the Kurdish areas in the south-east of the country. Turkey is also part of the US-led coaliton against ISIL and allows fighter jets to use one of its air bases to launch raids.
The June 7 bombing marks the fourth major attack on Turkey’s biggest city this year.
Advice for tourists
Around 2,500,000 British tourists visit Turkey every year. The British Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for tourists travelling to the country.
“On 7 June 2016, there was an explosion in the Vezneciler area of Istanbul. Vezneciler metro station and roads around the area have been closed. If you’re in the area, follow the advice of local security authorities.”
It added that it advises against “all travel to within 10 km of the border with Syria and to the city of Diyarbakir.”
The President of the European Parliament has expressed condolences for the victims on Twitter.
Strongly condemn heinous #Istanbul terror attack. My condolences to families, friends of victims & Istanbul police forces targeted by attack
— EP President (@EP_President) June 7, 2016