ankara
© Twitter
At least 5 people have been killed and 10 more injured in a car explosion in Ankara, local authorities said. The blast happened in close proximity to the Turkish parliament building, reportedly hitting a military dormitory.

Social media users in Ankara say they heard a loud noise all across the city, and posted photos of a huge plume of smoke rising over downtown Eskisehir Avenue.

Omer Celik, a spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on his Twitter account that the explosion was the result of a "cowardly terrorist attack."

CNN Türk said that military lodging facilities were targeted and there were a large number of casualties.

Twenty ambulances were sent to the scene of the blast, media reported, citing medical officials.

Witnesses reported helicopters circling the area above the blast.




Last October several explosions at a peace rally in the Turkish capital killed more than 100 people and injured dozens more. The explosions appeared to be the result of suicide bomb attacks.