Chief of Police: "Bomb was Fastened to a Bicycle"

Six civilians and one police officer were injured in a bomb explosion at a bus stop in Etiler, a district of Istanbul, at around 9.00 a.m. this morning (26 May).

The main road where the blast occurred was fully closed to traffic in both directions due to the possibility of a second bomb. Mobile phone signals in the region were temporarily cut.

One person lost a leg

The Head of the Istanbul Provincial Health Service, Ali İhsan Dokucu, stated that two of the wounded people were in a severe condition.

One person who was injured during the incident reportedly lost a leg due to the explosion.

Bomb fastened to a bicycle

Hüseyin Çapkın, Chief of the Istanbul Police, announced that the blast was caused by a bomb fastened on an electrical bicycle that was placed right next to the bus stop. The explosion occurred at 8.58; the bomb was of medium intesity, Çapkın said.

The Chief of Police stated that five vehicles were damaged by the explosion. It is now being investigated whether the blast was aimed at the Etiler Police School which is located right next to the scene of the incident.

As long as nobody assumed responsibility for the explosion, Çapkın did not give any information about their efforts to find the perpetrators. (EKN/VK)