At least 20 police injured in Istanbul bombing

At least 20 police officers were injured in a car bomb attack targeting a riot police bus outside a football stadium in Istanbul on Saturday evening, the interior minister said.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

10 December, 2016

The target of the attack was a bus carrying riot police [Twitter]

Around 20 police officers have been injured in a car bomb attack outside a football stadium in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Saturday evening, the interior minister said.

Two loud explosions were reported outside the newly built Besiktas Stadium, while photos and videos showed a large cloud of smoke rising from the scene.

The private NTV channel said the target of the attack was a bus for riot police.

“Around 20 police officers were injured in the bombing that took place in Istanbul, and I don’t have any information about martyrs, and god willing there won’t be any martyrs,” said Interior Minister Suleyman Solu.

Following the attack, state media watchdog the Turkish Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) announced a media blackout on coverage of the bombing.

The attack took place after a match between Besiktas and Bursaspor at the stadium.