Quoted by A.A
An explosion which hit military-owned vehicles in central Ankara has killed least 28 people and wounded 61 more, Turkish Deputy PM has said.
An initial report from the city’s governor suggests three military-owned vehicles and a private vehicle were hit Wednesday evening.
Anadolu Agency reporters at the scene say the blast occurred in Merasim Street which connects Dikmen Street to Inonu Boulevard and is close to Turkish General Staff and parliament buildings.
Ankara Governor Mehmet Kiliclar said the authorities believed a bomb-laden vehicle was the source of the blast.
The Turkish General Staff has said that a "terror attack" hit vehicles carrying its personnel at 6.31 p.m. local time [16.31 GMT] while they were waiting at traffic lights on Inonu Boulevard.
"We harshly condemn this heinous and vicious attack and convey our condolences to all our heroic fellow soldiers, our citizens that lost their lives in the attack and their families as well as the grand Turkish nation and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded," the statement added.
Several ambulances, medical and fire brigade teams, along with police, have been dispatched to the area.
Anti-terror and crime-scene investigation teams from Ankara police are examining the location.
All streets connecting to the blast area have been closed to traffic as police and army teams enforce strict security measures.
Before attending a security summit at Ankara’s presidential complex, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters the incident would be investigated.
Davutoglu also cancelled a planned visit to Brussels.
Speaking during a plenary session at the Turkish parliament, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said the attack had been mounted by a terrorist organization.
"Those who organized, planned the heinous attack in Ankara and instigated the assailants must know that the Republic of Turkey has never bowed to any terrorist organization … and will never do so."
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/terror-attack-kills-28-injures-61-in-turkish-capital/522905
Edited (2/17/2016) by harp00n
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