Photo Credit: A bomb disposal expert works at the scene of an attack near Turkey's interior ministry in Ankara, Turkey, October 1, 2023. © Cagla Gurdogan, Reuters
Two terrorists carried out a bomb attack in front of Turkey’s Interior Ministry building in the Turkish capital Ankara ahead of the opening of Parliament on Sunday, authorities said. Turkish media also reported that gunshots were heard in the same area after the blast.
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Two police officers were wounded in the attack, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a statement on X (previously Twitter).
The attackers arrived in a light commercial vehicle in front of the building’s entrance at about 9:30 a.m. local time, Yerlikaya. One assailant blew himself up and the other was “neutralized.”
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that an investigation has been launched into the incident.
“These attacks will in no way hinder Turkey’s fight against terrorism,” Tunc said on X. “Our fight against terrorism will continue even more determinedly.”
A blast was heard in the heart of the Turkish capital today, Sunday, Turkish media reported, saying it was in the area that houses both the Parliament and the Interior Ministry.
Attackers used a vehicle to carry out the bomb attack at the entrance gate of the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Security, Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
"One of the terrorists blew himself up and the other terrorist was neutralized," Yerlikaya said. He added that two police officers were "slightly injured" in the fire caused by the blast.
Turkish media also reported that gunshots were heard in the same area after the blast.
Bomb squads were seen working near a parked vehicle in the area on television, with Turkish media saying they were inspecting it.
Media also reported extensive security measures, including the closure of traffic and dispatching of special police units, firefighters, and medical teams.
Ankara's chief public prosecutor launched an investigation into the attack, Turkish media reported. Officials also limited access to the scene and put a "ban" on publishing information regarding the attack.
Turkish media cited the interior minister as saying two "terrorists" blew up a car outside the ministry's gate. Gunshots were also reportedly heard in the area after the blast.
[Sources: AFP, AP, CNN]
