Monday, July 28, 2008
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Two bombs exploded minutes apart in an Istanbul square packed with people Sunday night, killing 16 and injuring more than 150 in what the city governor said was a terror attack.
Many people were injured in the second blast after they rushed to the area to help the casualties of the first explosion in the working class Gungoren neighborhood, witnesses said. The blasts were about 10 minutes apart.
“There is no doubt that this is a terror attack,” Gov. Muammer Guler told reporters. “The fact that there was a crowd in the area has increased the number of casualties,” he added.
The governor said police were investigating who was behind the blasts.
CNN-Turk television, citing security sources, said police suspect Kurdish rebels may be responsible for the attack. It said intelligence reports had suggested the rebels were planning a bombing campaign in Turkish cities.
Officials did not accuse any specific group.
“We know it is a terrorist attack, but which organization is responsible — we don’t yet have that information,” Deputy Prime Minister Hayati Yazici said.