An explosion occurred on the famous İstiklal Avenue close to symbolic Taksim Square on March 19. The blast went off on the Balo street near the Demirören Mall. The attack happened at about 11:00 local time.
Scores of police cars and medical personnel rushed to the scene of the explosion immediately. The pedestrian street was completely sealed off.
İstiklal Avenue is one of the most famous streets in İstanbul, which rimmed by hundreds of boutiques, art galleries, theatres, cafes and foreign consulates, leading to Galatasaray Square.
4 people were killed and 46 people were wounded. One of the killed was the suicide bomber. Meanwhile, the wounded included six Israelis, two Irish citizens and one person each from Iceland, Germany, Dubai and iran.
Turkey's Supreme Board of Radio and Television has imposed a temporary ban on broadcast of pictures and video footage from the scene of explosion on the İstiklal Avenue.
On Thursday, Germany had closed its embassy in Ankara, the German schools and the consulate in istanbul, which is in the same neighbourhood as the blast, due to the existence of severe security intelligence about terror rampage. Foreign Affairs Minister of Germany have made statements on twitter, and said ”People of Germany should not leave their hotels or homes if it's not necessary.”
Skin, the lead singer of the world-renown British band Skunk Anansie, was among the witnesses of the attack. He wrote on Facebook said the blast went off near her istanbul hotel and that buildings “shook like paper.” She also expressed solidarity with the “innocent people and their families caught in this evil situation.”
The attack in Istanbul came six days after a suicide car bomb attack in the heart of the capital city of Ankara, which killed 37 people.
Minute by Minute İstiklal Avenue Suicide Attack
Terrorist attack in İstiklal Avenue throws all of of Turkey in shocked. The whole world is deplored because of the attack, as 4 innocent people died and 46 people were wounded. Here are the ins and outs of the terrorist attack minute by minute:
11.00
Suicide bomber exploded himself in the heart of İstiklal Avenue.
11.04
Ambulance and health care providers came on the scene.
11.15
İstiklal Avenue was pedestrianized by police.
11.58
Governor Vasip Sahin made statements about explosion on his speech and stated that 4 people died and 20 people were wounded.
12.09
İstiklal Avenue was evacuated including the shops located on the street by police down to the Tünel.
12.25
Turkey's Supreme Board of Radio and Television imposed a temporary ban on broadcast of pictures and video footage from the scene of explosion on the İstiklal Avenue.
12.58
Police tightened the security measures in the whole city. In Nişantaşı, a man who tried to take photos of police was arrested.
13.06
According to Reuters' statements that were obtained from higher-up intelligence units, the suicide bomber is most likely a member of either PKK or ISIS.
13.24
Health Minister mehmet Müezzinoğlu made statements about explosion, and stated that 4 people died and 7 of total 36 wounded people's situation is critical.
13.28
Public Prosecutor of İstanbul charged 5 attorney generals for the investigations about terrorist attack in İstiklal Avenue.
13.30
Spokesman of Israel Diplomatic Service Emmanuel Nahshon stated that 3 Israel citizens were wounded in İstiklal Avenue attack.
14.09
president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz condemned the terror attack and conveyed his condolences to Turkey.
14.18
Diplomatic Service of Germany warned German citizens with an article on its website in the matter of giving heed to potential dangers.
14.44
turkish Ministry of Health reported the number of casualties as 4 dead and 46 wounded. According to the ministry report; 6 Israel citizens, 1 Iceland citizen , 1 Germany citizen , 1 Dubai citizen, 1 iran citizen and 2 Ireland citizens were wounded.
18.23
turkish Ministry of Health stated the victims of terrorist attack as Simha Siman Demri (Israel), Yonathan Suher (Israel), Avraham Godman (Israel) and Ali Rıza Khalman (Iran).
References:
Born and raised in Istanbul where I’m a medical student at YeditepeUniversity.
Photo Credits: Alan Hilditch