Bombs strike Istanbul neighborhood, killing 13

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Two bombs exploded minutes apart in an Istanbul square packed with people Sunday night, killing 13 and injuring about 70 in what the city governor said was a terror attack.




The governor said police were investigating who was behind the blasts.

CNN-Turk television, citing security sources, said police suspect Kurdish rebels may be responsible for the attack. It said intelligence reports had suggested the rebels were planning a bombing campaign in Turkish cities.

However, officials did not accuse any specific group.


Kurdish, leftist and Islamic militants are active in Istanbul and have carried out past bombings in the city. On July 9, gunmen believed to be inspired by al-Qaida opened fire on police guarding the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, killing three officers. Three attackers also died in a shootout with police.

Both of Sunday's blasts were in a square closed to traffic where people congregate at night.


"The first explosion was in a telephone booth," said Huseyin Senturk, who owns a shoe shop in the area. "The second explosion was some 40 meters (yards) away."

"The first explosion was not very strong, Senturk added. "Several people came to see what was going on. That's when the second explosion occurred and it injured many onlookers."


The second explosion could be heard a mile away.

Guler said the bombs were placed in trash cans.

Nurettin Kapucu, a doctor at a nearby hospital, said some 25 people were being treated there and three of them were in serious condition. Yazici, the deputy prime minister, said 15 of the injured were in critical condition.


