Tourists Speak after Sultanahmet Explosion: We are Here

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Commemorating has been taking place in Sultanahmet Square for two days following the explosion, which left 10 people dead.

Police search bags and do body search at the entrance to Dikilitaş where the explosion occurred. There many police officers around on duty.

The square where 10 people have lost their lives is encircled by cloves left by citiztens of Turkey and tourists in addition to NGOs, and placards of peace message written in many languages.

While the people we have talked with expressed the sorrow they feel, tourists coming to Turkey from various countries have stated that they don't want the fear climate desired to be created by the explosion to achieve its goal.

"An attack with no nation, religion"

There are people from Turkey and abroad around Dikilitaş. We see the ones leaving flowers, taking photos in the scene.

A man living in İstanbul and coming to İstanbul for visit is among those who silently look at the commemorating point: "We feel sad, I wish it never happened. The attack against Turkey is an attack with no religion, nation".  

"I don't want them to succeed in scaring people"

There is an Australian woman named Vicy Bavler-Wright right ahead. She has been in İstanbul for five days. She tells that they were in Sultanahmet in the morning of the explosion, changed their schedule upon it and returned today (January 14).

Will Liu, a citizen of China, explains that he lives in Boston and came to İstanbul on the day of the incident.

"When my family heard of the explosion, they wanted me to return immediately. But I haven't. Media and security forces are around, here looks safe.

"I feel deeply sorry about the incident but I will not change my program. Terrorists wanted to scare people, I don't want them to achieve it".

"I haven't let these people change my life"

I run into Irish Catholic priest as he is saying "peace" and shaking hand with people from Suruç Families Initiative who are issuing a press statement in the area. He was saying that Turks are good people.

He tells that they were around Dikilitaş seven minutes before the explosion.

We ask to Buckley saying "I am sorry for those who lost their lives" whether he is going to change his program, he tells he won't.

"When there was war in Belfast, I always did what I planned. I didn't let these people change my life. We are here, good people will be here, bad people will leave".

“Life goes on”

Sandra and Mile from Germany tell they were on plane at the moment of the incident.

"We haven't changed our plans because of the explosion. Life goes on.

"What happened is very sad. This is where words fail. However, our opinion about Turkey hasn't changed. (BK/YY/TK)