Central Istanbul, Turkey was shaken on Sunday by an explosion in the Beyoglu district of Turkey’s largest city. It was crowded with people shopping, tourists and families out for the afternoon.
The blast occurred on Istiklal Avenue, near Taksim Square, a popular pedestrian area.
Six people were killed and at least 81 were wounded, according to the local governor, Ali Yerlikaya.
The governor tweeted about the incident, which happened at about 4:20 pm local time.
People shared videos on social media from the start of the explosion, showing a huge orange fireball rising from the avenue and people fleeing the area. There were several wounded people on the ground from the blast.
The area was chaotic with ambulances and fire rescue personnel and was fenced off by police.
As investigators start to uncover details, on Monday morning, the Interior Minister, Suleyman Soylu, said a suspect had been arrested by police for leaving the bomb, and that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is suspected of being responsible for the attack.
The PKK is regarded by the European Union and the US as a terrorist organization that is promoting an independent Kurdish state in Turkey.
However, no group has claimed responsibility publicly for the attack.
Vice-President Fuat Oktay said earlier that the attack was carried out by a woman.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the blast a terrorist attack. “Relevant units of our state are carrying out works to find out the perpetrators of this heinous act as well as the circles behind it,” he said. “Attempts to make Turkey and the Turkish nation surrender through terror never have and never will succeed. May our people rest assured that all the aspects of this incident will be clarified, and the perpetrators will be punished in the way they deserve.”
Turkey had several bombings from 2015-2017. Credit was taken by an Islamic State terrorist group and Kurdish militants who are fighting for independence. President Erdogan has tried to crack down on terrorism in Turkey, and has made it a campaign promise in his bid for reelection in 2023.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement that the US supports its NATO ally Turkey in its fight against terrorism.
