Explosion rocks Istanbul, injures 7

PanARMENIAN.Net - An explosion at a bus stop that rocked the Etiler neighborhood of Istanbul early on Thursday, May 26, and was most likely caused by a bomb injured seven people, officials have said.

Today’s Zaman reported that the explosion took place near Akmerkez, one of Istanbul's leading shopping centers, at around 9 am.

Speaking to reporters at the scene of the explosion, Istanbul Police Chief Hüseyin Çapkın said the explosive was of medium strength, adding it was not a percussion bomb but aimed to create damage. He said five vehicles, including a municipal bus, were damaged in the blast. Çapkın noted that the bomb had been placed on an electric bike under the bridge.

Ambulances were immediately dispatched to the area. There are reports that the explosion may have targeted a police academy near Akmerkez.

Turkey has been experiencing increased tension in recent weeks, with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) stepping up their campaign of violence ahead of the June 12 parliamentary elections. The group has mainly targeted the police in its recent attacks.

Çapkın said the fact that the explosion took place near the police academy and its timing are the two issues that deserve attention. “We will investigate whether the police academy was targeted,” he said. As for the question of who may be behind the attack, the police chief said it would be wrong to prematurely comment on this issue. “We will find the perpetrators,” he said.