At least 10 people were killed and around 15 others wounded after a large explosion rocked a central Istanbul square earlier today, a statement from the Istanbul governor´s office said.
Investigations were being conducted into the type of explosive which caused the blast and those responsible, the governor´s office statement said.
A witness said that there were body parts at the scene in Sultanahmet square, a major tourist attraction.
A police officer confirmed the witness´ account.
Turkish police sealed off the historic Sultanahmet district after the explosion.
Ambulances rushed to the scene, close to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, in a major tourist area of Turkey’s most populous city.
Turkey´s Haberturk television reported that at least eight people were killed in the explosion.
The blast may have been caused by a suicide bomber, Haberturk said, without citing its sources.
