Another car bomb attack in Türkiye, 34 people killed

The second car bombing in a month in the capital Ankara killed 34 people and injured 125.

The scene of the bombing in Ankara yesterday. Photo: Reuters

The attack took place in a busy area on Thursday. The explosion was heard several kilometers away and flaming debris flew everywhere. The area is a few hundred meters from the Justice and Interior Ministry buildings, the courthouse and what used to be the Turkish prime minister's office, Reuters reported.

According to National RadioTRT, the car exploded and hit a bus carrying about 20 people near Central ParkGuven and SquareKizilay at around 19:00.

Minister of the InteriorEfkan Ala saidPeople waiting at a bus stop were targeted in a terrorist attack with a car bomb.There appeared to be two attackers, a male and a female, in the form of a bomber.Similar to the February 17 incident, the bomb was reinforced with small explosive pellets and nails to increase the level of damage, according to aa police source

No one has yet claimed responsibility, butTwo senior security officials said initial investigations showedKurdistan Workers Party (PKK)or one of their affiliates carried out the bombing.

A security official said the vehicle used in the attack was aBMW, driven fromViransehir, a town in the southeastern region with a large Kurdish population, was apparently carried out by the PKK and its affiliate the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK).Ankara may announce the name of the group behind the attack after completing its preliminary investigation.

According to the Minister of HealthMehmet Muezzinoglu, 30 of the victims died at the scene, four others died in hospital. At least one or two of them were the perpetrators. Of the 125 injured, 19 were in serious condition.

The incident came two days after the US Embassy in Ankara issued a warning about information about a plot to attack government buildings in the area.Bahcelievler, a few kilometers from the scene.

The capital Ankara suffered a suicide bombing on February 17.targeted a minibus, killing 29 people, most of them soldiers.TAK has claimed responsibility for the incident.

"These attacks threaten the integrity and unity of our country, they do not weaken our resolve in the fight against terrorism, but on the contrary, they increase it even more," the Turkish President said.Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement.

British Prime MinisterDavid Cameron condemned the attack, saying he was "horrified". French Foreign MinisterJean-Marc Ayrault described it as a "cowardly attack". Russian PresidentVladimir Putin said it was brutal..

NATO Secretary GeneralJens Stoltenberg said there was no excuse for the "heinous" act, all allies in the bloc stand united with Türkiye, resolutely implementing the determination to fight terrorism in all forms.

According to VNE