[Text/Observer Network Wang Meng]
Turkish Vice President Oktai announced on November 13 local time that 6 people died in the explosion on the Istanbul Independence Street that day, and the number of injuries has risen to 81, of which 2 were seriously injured.
At 16:20 that day, an explosion occurred in Independence Street, a famous commercial street in Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city. At the time of the incident, there were crowds of people on Independent Street. Previously, Turkish President Erdogan said that the explosion had killed 6 people and injured 53 people. Türkiye's judicial department has appointed 10 prosecutors to investigate the Independence Street bombing.
Screenshot of the report of Anadolu News Agency, Turkey
According to the Anadolu News Agency, Oktai said that the explosion was a terrorist attack and a female attacker detonated the bomb.
Turkish Attorney General Bekir Bozda said that after the incident, the police checked the surveillance video and found that a woman was sitting on a bench near the explosion site for more than 40 minutes and got up and left within a minute or two before the explosion, leaving a plastic bag containing suspicious objects. In an interview with Turkish media, Bozda said, "Now all of Türkiye thinks that the woman is a suspect and the police are investigating her."
after the explosion occurred. Image from CNN (same below)
Bozda also added: "There are two possibilities: the plastic bag contains an automatic detonation bomb, or someone detonates it from a distance. All are under investigation at present." He pointed out that the woman's identity and name are unknown for the time being, and the relevant departments are "to fully analyze all her records and data."
explosion occurred on Independence Street, the city center of Istanbul, Türkiye's largest city, when it was Sunday afternoon, with pedestrians on the streets. CNN said that before the explosion, many people were sitting on chairs on the street to relax.
In response to this, Turkish President Erdogan said that speculation is that the explosion may be related to terrorism. He said at a press conference: "If it is definitely a terrorist attack, it may be wrong; but according to preliminary investigation results, there is a terrorism in it." He further stated that "all relevant persons in charge will be held accountable." Currently, Erdogan said he will continue to plan to go to Indonesia to attend the G20 summit with his delegation.
Other leaders from various countries expressed condolences for the explosion. European Council President Charles Michel expressed sympathy after the explosion. NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg expressed his “deepest condolences” to the Turkish people on Twitter, adding that “NATO supports our ally Türkiye.”
The United States "strongly condemns violence in Istanbul", White House Press Secretary Karin Jean Pierre said on Sunday, "We are with those who are injured and we express our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones."
French President Macron expressed his sympathy for the Turkish people on Twitter, and he wrote on Twitter: "In this day that is symbolic to our country, when we think of the victims who fell on November 13, 2015, the heart of the Turkish people, Istanbul, was hit. To the Turks: We share your pain. In the fight against terrorism, we stand with you." On November 13, 2015, a terrorist attack on jihadists occurred in Paris, France, killing 130 people and injuring hundreds.
screenshot from Macron Twitter
The Chinese Embassy in Turkey and the Consulate General in Istanbul issued a statement on November 13 local time saying that there were no reports of casualties among Chinese citizens in the explosion, and the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
statement also reminds Chinese citizens in Turkey to be vigilant, strengthen safety precautions, minimize unnecessary outings, and avoid going to crowded places. In case of an emergency, you can call the police immediately and contact the embassy and consulate.
Turkish alarm phone number: 155;
Consular Protection Center Global Call Hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 0086-10-12308/0086-10-59913991;
Consular Protection Assistance Phone of the Embassy in Turkey: 0090-538-8215530;
Consular Protection Assistance Phone of the Consulate General in Istanbul: 0090-531-3389459.
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