6 killed, 53 injured in Istanbul explosion

News Desk :
At least six people were killed and 53 others were injured in an explosion on a central thoroughfare in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday afternoon, according to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
State broadcaster TRT and other media showed ambulances and police heading to the scene on Istanbul’s popular Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu district, reports Anadolu Agency.
The Turkish Anadolu Agency said the cause of the blast was not yet known, although surveillance footage reportedly from the scene appeared to show a backpack left at the scene exploding.
The nearby Kasimpasa police station said all crews were at the scene but gave no further details.
“We wish God’s mercy on those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured,” said the governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya.
Turkish state media RTUK reported that a gag order had been placed on the explosion. A terrorism investigation has been launched into the incident by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to internet watchdog NetBlocks, access to Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook in Turkey was restricted after the explosion.
Meanwhile, an explosion on Istanbul’s popular pedestrian Istiklal Avenue Sunday has left people dead and injured, a senior official said.
Istanbul Gov. Ali Yerlikaya tweeted that the explosion occurred at about 4:20 p.m. (1320 GMT) and that there were deaths and injuries, but he did not say how many. The cause of the explosion was not clear.
A video posted online showed flames erupting and a loud bang, as pedestrians turned and ran away.