The Istanbul Governor’s Office said at least 15 people were wounded in the blast,BBC News reported. Foreign tourists were reportedly among the victims.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber of “Syrian origin,” Today’s Zaman reported.
“I condemn the terror incident in Istanbul assessed to be an attack by a suicide bomber with Syrian origin,” Erdogan said during a speech broadcast on live television. “Unfortunately we have 10 dead including foreigners and Turkish nationals … There are also 15 wounded.”
An investigation into the blast has been launched. The surrounding area was shut down by police.
“I’ve never heard such a loud explosion in my life,” shop owner Sener Ozdemir, 45, told Anadolu Agency of the blast near Sultanahmet Square. “It was very violent. Just after the incident I saw shocked tourists falling to the ground.”
Turkey has faced increased violence in recent months generated by the Islamic State and after a ceasefire broke down between the Turkish government and PKK Kurdish rebel militants — which led to airstrikes by Turkey and bombings by rebels.
