IAccording to Turkish media reports, there was a strong explosion in the center of Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.
At least four people were killed and 38 injured in the explosion on Istanbul’s Istiklal shopping street. The governor of the Turkish metropolis, Ali Yerlikaya, tweeted this on Sunday. Accordingly, the explosion shook the Istiklal shopping street, which is popular with tourists and locals, shortly after 4:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. CET). At the time, the pedestrian zone was particularly busy.
The cause of the explosion was initially unclear. On recordings on the online networks, a powerful bang is heard, followed by flames. The images also show a large, black crater and several people lying on the ground.
The explosion immediately caused panic among visitors to the shopping street. The area was immediately evacuated. People in the city were urged to avoid the area. Surrounding streets should also be kept free of traffic.
In 2015 and 2016, Istanbul was the target of a bloody campaign of attacks to which the jihadist militia Islamic State claimed responsibility. One of the attacks was also carried out on Istiklal Street.
