Bomb Attack on Police Bus in Istanbul

A bus of the riot police forces became the target of a bomb attack in the Sütlüce district of Istanbul (Golden Horn) on Thursday morning (1 March). The bus was standing in front of the Provincial Presidency of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen (MÜSİAD) when the bomb exploded.

Nearby buildings and cars were damaged. A total of 21 police officers were in the bus. According to Istanbul Chief of Police Hüseyin Çapkın, ten policemen were injured in the blast.

Several ambulances and police cars were sent to the scene of incident.

Istanbul Chief of Police Çapkın announced that the bomb had been attached to a motorcycle and was detonated with a remote control when the riot forces bus was passing by.

Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avin Mutlu said in a statement that plastic explosive was used. He confirmed that ten of 21 police officers who were on the bus were slightly injured.

MÜSİAD Press Consultant Sadi Dinleyici said in an interview with CNN Türk that first aid had been provided to the injured police officers at the MÜSİAD building. (EKN)