Three people lightly wounded in explosion in Istanbul

Police launch investigation; one Turkish website reports percussion bomb as cause of blast

Pedestrians walk along Istiklal Street, a busy shopping and entertainment hub in central Istanbul, a day after a suicide bomb attack, March 20, 2016. (AFP/YASIN AKGUL)
Pedestrians walk along Istiklal Street, a busy shopping and entertainment hub in central Istanbul, a day after a suicide bomb attack, March 20, 2016. (AFP/YASIN AKGUL)

Turkey’s state-run news agency said an explosion near an overpass in Istanbul slightly wounded two people, with others reporting three were wounded.

The Anadolu Agency said on Saturday the explosion occurred in Istanbul’s central Mecidiyekoy district. Police cordoned off the area and the cause of the explosion was under investigation.

According to Turkish Minute, a website affiliated with the now-shut Today’s Zaman, the cause of the blast was a percussion bomb, which causes little damage.

The explosion came hours after the United States warned its citizens about “credible threats” to tourist areas in Turkey, especially around public squares and docks in Istanbul and the Mediterranean beach resort of Antalya. The emergency message urged citizens to exercise “extreme caution.”

Israel on Friday ordered its nationals out of the country as soon as possible, citing “immediate terror” threats

Turkey has been hit by six major bombings since July that have killed more than 200 people, including a suicide bombing in Istanbul last month blamed on the Islamic State terror group that killed three Israeli tourists and an Iranian man.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.