At least six people have been confirmed dead and 81 others wounded in an explosion that happened at central Istanbul, Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said investigations were continuing but initial reports suggested an act of terrorism.
“The first information provided to us by the (Istanbul) governor suggests this was an act of terrorism,” he said.
His vice-president, Fuat Oktay, said that the blast was thought to be a terrorist attack carried out by a female.
“Whoever is behind these events, they will be found, even if they go to the other end of the world,” he said.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told Turkish media that a woman had sat on a bench in the area for more than 40 minutes, leaving just minutes before the blast took place.
Yesterday morning, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said a Syrian national, Ahlam Albashir suspected of having left the bomb had been arrested and is among 47 people detained by the police.
He accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of responsibility.
However, the PKK denied any role in the bombing, saying that they will not directly target civilians.
The militant group has been battling for decades to achieve Kurdish self-rule in south-east Turkey.
