Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square was Shook by an Explosion

Istanbul’s Sultanahmet square was shook by an explosion taking the lives of at least 10 persons and injuring at least another 15. Turkish news agencies announced the explosion as soon as reports came out. Government officials also confirmed it.

In addition, correspondents and photojournalists present at the scene have released their take on the events. The large explosion is currently investigated by authorities under the premises of a suicide bombing. No reports of accountability have surfaced yet. Nonetheless, Turkey and several sites in Istanbul have become the target of terror attacks increasingly more often in the recent period.

Istanbul’s Sultanahmet square was shook by an explosion at around 10:00 a.m this morning. Dogan News Agency, an independent Turkish news agency also reported that the large explosion could be a suicide bombing. Nonetheless, no clear cause is yet released for the media.

The Sultanahmet district and Sultanahmet square are among the most visited tourist attractions in Istanbul. At the heart of the Sultanahmet square lies an obelisk created in 1490 B.C., carved by masters of the craft in Constantinople and brought to its current location by the Roman emperor Theodosius in 390 A.D.

It was close to the obelisk that the large explosion took place. At least 10 people are reported dead and another 15 people are injured following the explosion. The Sultanahmet district is also home to the Hagia Sophia, a resounding name on top of many tourists’ to-visit lists. In addition, the Blue Mosque as well as the Topkapi Palace and the ancient hippodrome all lie here.

Following the explosion several warnings have been issued. Authorities are asking everyone in the area to steer away from crowded places, including the landmark tourist attractions. It’s unclear what the cause of the large explosion is. However, under these circumstances, it’s better to comply with authorities’ recommendations.

Several sites in Turkey have been the target of a number of terror attacks in recent months. The large explosion in Sultanahmet square is just the latest in a long string. Violent conflicts are ripe in Turkey with the Islamic State controlling a large territory in Syria and the PKK fueling violence after the breaking of the cease-fire.

Other instances of terror attacks have occurred in just this past year. In the beginning of 2015 a Russian citizen detonated a bomb at the tourist police station in Sultanahmet square in a suicide bombing. July saw another suicide bomber detonating the explosive device in Suruc, near the Syrian border, and taking the lives of over 30 people.

Photo Credits: Wikimedia