Baku, Azerbaijan, March 19
Trend:
Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has chaired a meeting in Istanbul's Dolmabahce palace to discuss the terrorist attack in Beyoglu district, Anadolu agency reported.
The meeting was attended by deputies of the prime minister Yalcin Akdogan and Togrul Turkes, deputy chairman of the Justice and Development Party Omer Celik, deputy interior minister Sebahattin Ozturk, deputy health minister Eyup Gumus, Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin and head of Istanbul police Mustafa Caliskan.
16:15 (GMT+4) The terrorists targeted foreign tourists and the explosion occurred in the place where usually many foreign tourists, Kanal7 TV channel reported.
Reportedly, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) stands behind the terrorist attack, according to the preliminary data.
Earlier on March 19, it was reported that six PKK members, who can be the would-be suicide bombers, are wanted by the Turkish police.
The wanted PKK members are: Ali Haydar Kales, Aysel Ozlu, Havva Custan, Emrah Erdogan, Taner Yesilbas and Mehmet Erbey.
15:32 (GMT+4) Twelve foreigners were injured as a result of the terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey's Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu said.
The total number of injured as a result of the terrorist attack has reached 38, TRT Haber TV channel reported.
15:16 (GMT+4) Turkey's Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu didn't rule out that another terrorist attack can be committed during the day, TRT Haber TV channel reported.
14:51 (GMT+4) Terrorist attacks won't stop Turkey's fight against terrorism, TRT Haber TV channel reported citing the country's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Turkey will continue fighting terrorism, he added.
14:31 (GMT+4) The death toll as a result of the terrorist attack in Istanbul has reached five, Kanal7 TV channel reported.
Reportedly, three of the injured are Israeli citizens.
14:26(GMT+4)Turkey's deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus has commented on the terrorist attack in Istanbul, noting that the terrorists won't achieve their goals.
"The goal of the terrorists is to isolate Turkey from the whole world," he said.
14:22 (GMT+4) Turkey has banned the release of unofficial information about the explosion in Istanbul, HaberTurk TV channel reported.
14:11 (GMT+4) Turkey's authorities have officially confirmed that the explosion in Istanbul was a terrorist attack, TRT Haber TV channel reported.
14:03 (GMT+4) The bomb of the suicide bomber exploded before the planned time, CNN Turk reported. Currently, the four dead and over 20 injured are being identified.
13:56 (GMT+4) Currently, all roads have been closed on Istiglal avenue in Istanbul's center where the explosion occurred, CNN Turk reported. Police have arrived at the scene. The country's authorities haven't yet officially confirmed the terrorist attack.
13:39(GMT+4) A suicide bomber blew himself up in Istanbul, according to CNN Turk TV channel.
13:30 (GMT+4) An explosion has occurred in Turkey's Istanbul city, leaving two dead and seven more injured, Milliyet newspaper reported March 19.