Turkey explosion: More than 34 killed, 125 wounded in Ankara

Europe, News March 13, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

A huge explosion and gunfire have rocked the Turkey capital of Ankara leaving at least 34 people dead.

At least 34 people were killed while 125 were wounded as an explosion hit central Ankara on March 13, the Ankara governor’s office has announced, TRT World reported.

The blast occurred near Guven Park, which is connected to a major transport hub, according to Reuters.

A bomb-laden car caused the blast, the state office added. The Hurriyet newspaper said the latest blast happened at about 18:41 (16:41 GMT) and that many ambulances were at the scene. It said that the area was being evacuated in case there was a second attack.

“According to initial reports, 27 of our citizens were killed in a blast caused by a bomb-laden car at 6.45 p.m. on March 13, Sunday, at Kızılay’s Güvenpark,” the statement said. 23 citizens were killed at the scene of the incident while four others died on their way to the hospital, it added.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was in Istanbul, was briefed by the Interior Minister Efkan Ala about the blast on the phone, according to presidency sources. The president is expected to return to Ankara. Turkey will develop a new security approach and mechanism for the capital city of Ankara, Prime Minister

Turkey will develop a new security approach and mechanism for the capital city of Ankara, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said, following a nearly five-hour security meeting with his seniors and officials on Feb. 20 in the aftermath of a Feb. 17 car bomb attack.

“Every province has special [security] needs,” the prime minister said, adding that Ankara had a special position as it was the capital hosting many government, state and opposition buildings, along with envoys of many countries.

Elaborating on the new mechanism, Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala said technology would be used more in the implementation of the new security mechanism.