At least 37 people have died and over 100 were injured after a car bomb explosion in the Kızılay district of central Ankara on Sunday.
Health minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu on Monday said 30 people had died at the scene, and seven more had since died from their injuries. He said that 71 others were still being treated in hospital, 15 of whom were in intensive care.
Describing the attack as a suicide car bomb, Müezzinoğlu said at least two attackers were among the dead.
The explosion occurred near the Güvenpark and a major bus hub in Ankara’s central Kızılay district at 6:35 p.m, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
The governor’s office has confirmed that the explosion was caused by a car bomb, The Guardian reports. Turkey’s interior minister said civilians were targeted at a bus stop.
Footage alleged to be from the incident posted on social media appears to show a car stopping beside a stationary bus before a massive explosion obscures the picture. Images posted on social media show a bus destroyed by the blast.
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has declared a broadcasting ban on images of the scene and victims.
Ankara’s Gölbaşı Court ordered a ban on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms to prevent images of victims being shared.
#Ankara court imposes ban on Facebook + Twitter after images from the blast scene are shared. Broadcast ban from the scene still in place
— Selin Girit (@selingirit) March 13, 2016
Turkish officials have claimed that members of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) are linked to the attack.
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), which Turkey says is directly linked to the PKK, has condemned the attack.
We condemn today's bombing in #Ankara. Unfortunately, many lost their lives or injured as the attack targeted our fellow civilian citizens.
— HDP English (@HDPenglish) March 13, 2016
The explosion is the third to hit the Turkish capital since October 2015.
Sunday’s explosion occurred around one kilometer from the most recent car bomb explosion which killed 29 people on Feb. 27.
NTV channel says an attack carried out by a car bomb next to a major bus hub in Ankara. Multiple casualties. At least 20 ambulances seen.
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) March 13, 2016
Ankara'da patlama
Olay yerinden ilk kareler…https://t.co/Adyc6cUdTp pic.twitter.com/IYluxW5ckr— Doğan Haber Ajansı (@dhainternet) March 13, 2016
Photos from the scene: pic.twitter.com/XQehdRpoLQ #Kızılay #AnkaradaPatlama
— Has Avrat (@hasavrat) March 13, 2016
PHOTO: Another image of aftermath of an explosion in Ankara, #Turkey. Several casualties reported. – @RdKurdistan5 pic.twitter.com/5C04dcEgpF
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) March 13, 2016
[Story developing]
Image: The aftermath of the explosion in Ankara. Pic: @hasavrat/Twitter
