At least 5 dead as suicide bombing hits busy shopping street in Istanbul
LONDON -- At least five are dead and 39 injured after a suicide bomb attack rocked a busy pedestrian shopping street in central Istanbul on Saturday morning.
Tensions have been high in Turkey with two bomb attacks in capital Ankara in recent weeks.
The injured include 24 foreign nationals and a child, Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said. Seven victims were in hospitals in critical condition. The foreign injured victims were from Israel, Germany, Iran, Iceland and Ireland, among other places.
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Two Americans were among those killed, the White House confirmed Saturday.
Their identities were not released, but an Israeli diplomat in Istanbul said they held dual Israeli citizenship. "Sadly, we can confirm two dead Israelis," said Israeli Foreign ministry spokesman Alon Lavi.
Iranian officials also said that an Iranian man was among the dead.
Istiklal Avenue in central Istanbul was sealed off, and many ambulances and security forces attended the scene. The street is a popular tourist destination, with many restaurants, shops and cafes, and is near Taksim Square.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. An official told Reuters that the initial investigation indicates the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or an affiliate was behind the bombing.
The Turkish media authority imposed a broadcast ban around 10:15 a.m. GMT in relation to the bombing. A reporter in Istanbul said social media was being throttled to prevent access.
In videos posted on social media, a loud noise is heard and people run down the street. Shoppers try to hurry their children along to safety. Some took shelter in shops behind metal shutters. Police shout to try and clear the busy area.
The singer of British rock band Skunk Anansie was among the witnesses of the attack.
In a statement, the U.S. State Department strongly condemned the attack. "The United States stands in solidarity with our NATO Ally Turkey in combating the common threat of terrorism," spokesperson John Kirby said.
"This vicious attack is the latest in a series of indefensible violence targeting innocent people throughout Turkey."
"No centre of terrorism will reach its aim with such monstrous attacks," Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said in a statement, the Guardian reported. "Our struggle will continue with the same resolution and determination until terrorism ends completely."
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
UPDATE: March 19, 2016, 5:53 p.m. GMT
UPDATE: March 20, 2016, 12:51 p.m. GMT
Raised death toll.
Nationalities of some victims released.
U.S. State Department statement.
Turkish Prime Minister statement.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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Liza Hearon was the Deputy Editor for Mashable UK. Liza started her career in journalism writing about punk bands for a 'zine in Florida, and her wanderlust has led her to work for news organisations in Russia, Japan and now London. Prior to joining Mashable, she was the European homepage editor for the Wall Street Journal. Liza loves podcasts, karaoke and really, really spicy food.
