At least one person was killed and 11 others reported to have been injured in an explosion at a popular and usually crowded thoroughfare in central Istanbul on Sunday, according to local reports. Videos circulating on social media showed multiple people on the ground amid bomb wreckage. The video shows the arrival of the ambulance and police on the spot. One video showed a blast and flames with a loud bang. The avenue, lined by shops and restaurants, is a crowded thoroughfare which is quite popular among tourists and locals.
According to accounts in Turkish media, the explosion happened at about 4:20 local time (1330 GMT).
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Istiklal Street, which is near Taksim Square, was reportedly sealed off as stores shuttered, according to people on social media.
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The downtown Beyoglu neighbourhood, where many foreigners live and visitors frequent, is bisected by Istiklal Street. A fireball was seen engulfing the busy street as people walked by before turning abruptly and rushing away in fear, according to video that was captured at the time of the explosion and posted online.
(With inputs from agencies)
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