11 dead, 36 others injured in Turkey blast

A car bomb exploded in central Istanbul on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people.

The blast came from a car packed with explosives wounding over 30 others and wrecked a passing police bus near the main tourism district.

Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin told reporters that it is the fourth major bombing in Turkey’s biggest city this year.

“A car-bomb attack was made against vehicles carrying our rapid-response police, passing by on the road around 08:40am local time (0530GMT) in Vezneciler district resulting in seven police and four civilians losing their lives. May God have mercy upon their souls – 36 people were wounded, three of them are in a critical condition. The forensic work continues regarding the incident,” Sahin said.

No one or group of people have claimed responsibility. But Kurdish militants, Islamic State and radical leftists have all staged attacks in Turkey recently, raising suspicion of possible involvement.

Speaking to reporters after visiting some of the injured, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said “the fight against terrorists will continue to the end”. He described the attack as “unforgivable”.

Gunshots were heard in the area after the blast, local media reported.