In an explosion on Istanbul’s historic Istiklal Street at least four dead and 38 were injured.
The bomb occurred at 4:20 p.m. local time (1320 GMT) on Sunday, according to Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya on Twitter. The cause of the explosion remained unknown at the time.
Footage from the scene in the Beyoglu area shows ambulances, fire trucks, and police. Police officers implemented security measures in the area where the incident occurred.
According to social media users, stores have been closed and the avenue has been closed.
All crews were there, according to the nearby Kasimpasa police station, but no other information was provided. Inspectors were supposed to be on the scene by local media. According to the Turkish Red Crescent, blood is being sent to nearby hospitals.
Around an hour after the explosion, Turkey’s RTUK regulator issued a broadcast restriction on coverage of it.
Images published on social media at the moment of the explosion showed that it could be heard from a long distance away and that there were flames. A large black crater and numerous dead on the ground are also visible in the images.
Istiklal Avenue was hit during a series of Islamic State-claimed attacks on Istanbul in 2015 and 2016.
On behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, PM Shehbaz expressed condolences for the loss of precious lives.
“I have learnt with deep anguish about the explosion at popular Istiklal avenue in the heart of Istanbul,” he tweeted.
“The government and people of Pakistan offer their sincere sympathies to the brotherly people of Turkiye for the loss of precious lives and send prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.
