Turkey: 6 people killed in explosion on Istanbul’s historic Istiklal Street

In Turkey, at least six people have been killed and 53 injured in an explosion on Istanbul’s historic Istiklal Street, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The blast occurred around 4:20 pm local time in Beyoglu district of Istanbul today. The avenue is a crowded thoroughfare popular with tourists and locals, lined by shops and restaurants.

President Erdogan said that Turkey will not bow down to terrorism and it will identify all those responsible for the attack. Earlier, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter that the injured are currently being treated. Police teams took security measures in the area where the explosion happened. Social media users said shops were shuttered and the avenue closed down. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the explosion.