Suspected terrorist bomb attack on busy Istanbul street kills 8, injures 53 - President Erdogan

Tyler Durden
ZeroHedge
Sun, 13 Nov 2022 17:37 UTC

Turkish media on Sunday reported that an explosion on Istanbul's popular pedestrian Istiklal Avenue (pictured) has injured a number of people

Update (1037ET):

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the explosion on the busy Istanbul street a "bomb attack."

Erdogan said the attack took place on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Square, left six people dead and 53 injured.

Here's Erdogan's statement (courtesy of local media outlet Halk TV):

"I wish God's mercy on our brothers who died in the bomb attack that took place on Istiklal Street at 16.20 today, and I wish a speedy recovery to our wounded. Efforts to take over Turkey and the Turkish nation through terrorism will not reach its goal today and tomorrow, as it was yesterday. Relevant units of our state continue to work to reveal the perpetrators of this treacherous attack and the gathering place behind it. We have been informed that there have been 6 deaths, four of which were at the scene and two at the hospital. Other than that, different figures may come. Necessary interventions have been made and are being carried out in hospitals, as well. I think these citizens will also be discharged. Let them be sure that the perpetrators of the incident will be punished as they deserve."

The president of Turkey said the attack "smells of terror here."

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Update (0956ET):

VOA's Steve Herman reported four people died and 38 were injured on a highly traveled street in central Istanbul after an explosion.

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A shocking video has surfaced on social media of what appears to be an explosion on a busy pedestrian street in Istanbul, Turkey.

There are no official reports on causalities, but the aftermath in the incident area shows numerous people lying on the ground.

Istanbul Gov. Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the explosion at 4:20 p.m. local time. He said, "there are casualties and injuries."

Broadcaster CNN Turk said eleven people were injured. The street was crowded with people as it's a popular area for tourists.

*Developing

Comment: Footage allegedly showing the moment of the explosion:

This comes on the heels of Turkey's definite pivot away from the West, most notably with its announcement of wanting to join BRICS: Algeria wants to join BRICS, other countries expected to join are Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran

The Daily Mail reports:

In March 2016 a bomb was detonated on the same street in Istanbul, Istiklal Avenue, as the explosion today.

It is believed ISIS was behind the attack - which killed five people (including perpetrator) and injured thirty, including seven whose injuries were severe.

According to an eyewitness, the bomber detonated the bomb whilst passing by a group of tourists

The bombing was the fourth suicide bombing in Turkey in 2016 and occurred six days after a bombing in Ankara that left 37 people dead.

2016 was also the time of the US-backed coup attempt against Erdogan and Turkey, and that Putin gave him advance warning of.

CCTV footage captures the horrifying moment a woman waved goodbye to her friend moments before the Istanbul attacker detonated his bomb just metres away from her.

The female shopper appeared to be laughing and joking with her companion as she turned to say goodbye before heading towards a shop on one of the Turkish city's busiest streets.

Moments later, a large explosion rips through the busy street, which is lined with international stores and shopping centres.