Two separate bomb attacks near Vodafone Arena of Beşiktaş Football Club hit İstanbul on Saturday (November 10) at around 22:29. One suicide bomber and a car loaded with hundreds of kilograms of explosive material killed 38, leaving more than 150 injured. 30 of 38 victims are police officers, and the remaining eight are civilians.
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş released details regarding the explosions at CNN Turk, saying that attackers specifically targeted police forces who were around vodafone Arena to maintain order and security: ‘‘They deliberately kept waiting until supporters of both clubs, Beşiktaş and Bursaspor, left the stadium. Right afterwards, a moving vehicle exploded around what is known as Beleştepe, and 45 seconds later, a person wearing a leather jacket exploded himself in Maçka park after being stopped by police.''
In the aftermath of the explosions, gunshot exchanges were heard and ambulances from all districts of İstanbul were sent to the area. At the moment, 19 people are in intensive care unit.
The explosions were so loud that it was felt and heard in all districts in İstanbul, causing panic and chaos.
Media organisations affiliated with controversial Erdoğan rule argued that the chaos in the country would come to an end only when turkey switch to Presidential System which Erdoğan has set his mind on for so long a time. The long-disputed draft for constitution change has been presented in the Parliament today.
I am a literature major at Boğaziçi University in İstanbul. I hate İstanbul, yet I am in love with it.