AMN /
At least 10 people have been killed in an explosion in a district of Istanbul popular with tourists today. The city authorities say Foreign tourists are among those hurt in the blast, which occurred in the city’s historic Sultanahmet district, near the Blue Mosque. Fifteen people were also wounded in the blast, the Istanbul Governor’s Office said in a statement on its website. Some reports suggest a suicide bomber caused the explosion.
Police have sealed off the area and the authorities are investigating the type of explosive used. German media reports say the country’s foreign ministry is investigating reports that German citizens have been hurt in the blast.
The Ministry has also tweeted that German tourists in the city should avoid large crowds and warned on its website that further violent clashes and “terrorist attacks” are expected across Turkey.