An explosion rocked central Istanbul on Sunday afternoon, with injuries reported in a popular tourist area.
Istanbul Governor Ali Gerlikaya tweeted that the explosion occurred on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Square.
“Police, health, fire and AFAD teams have been sent to the scene,” he said, adding that there are dead and injured. “Developments will be shared with the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, the country’s official Anadolu news agency tweeted in English that there were “casualties after an explosion on Istanbul’s Istiklal Street.”
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, Tariq Keblaoui, told CNN that several people could be seen lying on the ground after the explosion on Istiklal Street.
Keblawi said he was in a shop on Istiklal Street when the explosion occurred about 10 meters in front of him.
It was not clear the extent of the injuries he saw, 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.
