Several hurt in Istanbul suicide blast
Updated
The attack happened in the central district of Taksim on the European side of the city. (Reuters: Murad Sezer )
A bomb has exploded in the centre of the Turkish city of Istanbul, wounding at least 15 people.
It is thought a suicide bomber may have triggered the blast right next to the independence monument on Taksim Square.
Istanbul police chief Huseyin Capkin says two of the wounded were in a serious condition, but there were no dead among the victims.
"It was a suicide bomb and it appears as if the bomber blew himself up. It appears to be a male body," he said.
Mr Capkin says the the blast was close to a police vehicle.
No organisation has claimed responsibility.
A bomb disposal unit was also at the scene, and television pictures show security forces directing emergency services at the square, which was sealed off after the blast.
CNN-Turk reported a second bomb was found close to the dead bomber, but state-run Anatolian news agency said parts of a bomb were found and it was unclear if it was part of the exploded bomb or a second device.
Taksim Square is a major tourist attraction and transport hub, surrounded by restaurants, shops and hotels, and at the heart of modern Istanbul.
Istanbul has been targeted before by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels, but the separatist group extended a unilateral ceasefire last month.
Other groups, including Al Qaeda, have also attacked the city. Al Qaeda suicide bombers were behind a series of bomb attacks in Istanbul in November 2003 that killed 57 people and wounded hundreds.
In recent weeks Turkish police have made several arrests of people suspected of providing support to Al Qaeda militants fighting in Afghanistan.
- BBC/Reuters
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