Twin blasts killed at least three dozen people outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul, Turkey following a game between Besiktas and Bursaspor football clubs that ended about an hour before.
One of the blasts is learned to have been caused by a car bomb and it targeted a riot police bus deployed outside the Besiktas stadium.
Another suicide blast, as believed, occurred at Macka Park, which is located next to the stadium. The area is also known as Vodafone Arena.
Turkey’s interior minister Suleyman Soylu said, “Two bombings may have taken place according to our understanding: one outside the stadium… the other at Macka Park.”
Soylu described the attack as a cruel plot. About 166 people have been wounded and among the dead include two police officers who were stationed outside the stadium.
Several suspects have been detained. TV footage showed shattered wreckage of a vehicle outside the stadium.
The area was immediately sealed by police authorities setting up a wide cordon around the stadium.
Sports Minister Akif Cagatay Kilic tweeted, “I condemn the cruel terror attack in Istanbul. Those attacking our nation’s unity and solidarity will never win.”
Turkish President Erdogan too confirmed injuries and fatalities.
No group has yet claimed responsibility of the attack.
