(MENAFN- Morocco World News) ;">Taroudant – A deadly explosion rocked a square in Sultanahmet the historic central district of Istanbul on Tuesday morning killing at least 10 people and wounding 15 according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.
The same source said that the provincial governor's office reported 15 wounded in an large explosion that occurred near Sultanahmet Square at 10.20 a.m. local time (08:20GMT). The square lies between two of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions the Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque) and Ayasofya (Hagia Sofia). The cause of the explosion has not been identified yet while no terrorist group has claimed its responsibility for the deadly explosion. “Investigations continue about the explosion’s cause the explosive’s types the perpetrator or perpetrators of the event” Istanbul governor Vasip Sahin told CNN. Anadolu quoted a Shop owner Sener Ozdemir who was on the site as saying: 'I've never heard such a loud explosion in my life' he said. 'It was very violent. Just after the incident I saw shocked tourists falling to the ground.' Turkish authorities arrivedimmediately in the scene cordoned off the square closed down the local tram service and the nearby attractions. Some ambassadors to Turkey took to Twitter to offer their condolences to the families of the victims. The official Twitter account of the British Ambassador to Turkey posted a tweet expressing “concern” at reports of the Sultanahmet explosion. + Thoughts with those injured. Nationalities of victims currently unknown.
Richard Moore (UKAmbRichard) January 12 2016
The official twitter account of the United States Embassy in Ankara posted a tweet quoting U.S. Ambassador John Bass saying the U.S. is “closely following reports” on the explosion.
Ambassador Bass: Closely following reports of an explosion in #Sultanahmet. Our thoughts are with those affected
US Embassy Turkey (USEmbassyTurkey) January 12 2016
While the nationalities of the victims have not officially been announced some wounded are reportedly in critical condition amid fears the death toll might increase.
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