At least 30 killed, 120 injured in terrorist attack in Turkey / Photos
Two explosions have rocked a road junction in the centre of the Turkish capital Ankara, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens of others, local media reported.
The explosions took place several minutes apart, with the first going off at around 10:00am (0700 GMT), according to local Dogan news agency.
A video on social media showed the moment of the explosion: young people were dancing and waving banners as a massive fireball erupts.
The explosions occurred near a train station where people were gathering for a peace march to protest against the conflict between the state and Kurdish fighters in southeast Turkey.
Video footage on social media showed several bodies lying on the ground, as survivors tried to give first aid to the wounded.
The peace protest, which was called for noon, was canceled.
Emergency crews were at the scene, responding to the injuries, with ambulances rushing off to several local hospitals. There were reports of shortages of blood and calls for donations.
The peace rally was called ahead of a snap election on November 1 and after violence erupted in July between Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) armed group, ending a two-year ceasefire.
The violence was kicked off by a bombing that hit a pro-Kurdish group’s meeting in Suruc, a town in southern Turkey, which the authorities have blamed on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group.
Turkish government officials said the blasts in Turkey were a “terrorist attack” and they were investigating claims that a suicide bomber was responsible.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was to hold a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan, government officials and security chiefs at 12pm (09:00 GMT) in response to the attack, Davutoglu’s office said.
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