At least four people were killed and 38 injured in an explosion in the heart of the Turkish city of Istanbul on Sunday afternoon, according to the city’s governor.
Those injured are being treated, Governor Ali Gerlikaya added.
“We wish God’s mercy to those who lost their lives and speedy recovery to the injured,” he tweeted.
Yerlikaya confirmed earlier that the explosion occurred on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Square.
“Police, health, fire and AFAD teams were dispatched to the scene,” he said. “Developments will be communicated to the public.”
An investigation into the explosion has been launched, the country’s official Anadolu news agency reported.
The Istanbul General Prosecutor’s Office has launched the investigation, with five prosecutors assigned to it, according to the agency.
The city’s criminal court issued a ban on broadcasting all visual and audio news, as well as social media sites, related to the explosion, Anadolu added.
Local media and images from the area showed a large number of emergency vehicles after the blast, with at least one person receiving medical treatment. Some people can be seen leaving the scene in the photos and the area has been cordoned off by security services.
The cause of the explosion is unknown and CNN cannot independently verify if there are any casualties.
An eyewitness, journalist Tariq Keblawi, told CNN that several people could be seen lying on the ground after the blast on Istiklal Street.
Keblawi said he was in a shop on Istiklal Street when the explosion occurred about 10 meters in front of him.
The extent of the injuries he saw was not clear, but several people were bleeding from their legs and hands, he said.
Keblawi said Istiklal Street, a popular tourist area, was very crowded on Sunday. Istiklal Street is one of the main streets leading to Taksim Square.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has called for help from police and health worker groups as they respond to the explosion in the city.
“It is necessary to help our police and health teams regarding the explosion on Istiklal Street and avoid posts that may cause fear and panic. All relevant teams are in the area, we will provide sound information,” he tweeted.
This is a developing story.
