Politics
DEADLIEST TURKEY TERROR ATTACK AT PEACE RALLY IN ANKARA
APPEARED RESULT OF SUICIDE BOMB ATTACKS
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Hundreds of people were gathering for a peace rally outside Ankara´s main train station when the explosions hit the crowd. Two bombs exploded in the capital Ankara today, killing at least 86 people, at least 186 people have been injured in the incident, with 28 of them in intensive care. Authorities are exploring the possibility that the blasts may have been caused by two suicide bombers.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced three days of national mourning during a televised press conference on Saturday afternoon. No groups have claimed responsibility for the explosions.
The explosions occurred at a rally dubbed “Labor, Peace, Democracy“ that kicked off at 10:00 local time (0700 GMT). Turkey's largest trade unions were planning to get together for a demonstration to protest the Turkish government´s renewed military campaign against Kurdish rebels. (RT)
The explosions occurred at a rally dubbed “Labor, Peace, Democracy“ that kicked off at 10:00 local time (0700 GMT). Turkey's largest trade unions were planning to get together for a demonstration to protest the Turkish government´s renewed military campaign against Kurdish rebels. (RT)
Faruk Bildirici, a Turkish journalist who was attending the rally, told Al Jazeera that he was only metres away from the blasts and there were only seconds between the two attacks.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is to hold meeting with security officials following the tragedy, his office said.
"We are investigating the explosion and will share our findings with the public as soon as possible," a Turkish official told AFP.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has commented on the attack, calling for "solidarity and determination as the most meaningful response to terror."
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is to hold meeting with security officials following the tragedy, his office said.
"We are investigating the explosion and will share our findings with the public as soon as possible," a Turkish official told AFP.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has commented on the attack, calling for "solidarity and determination as the most meaningful response to terror."
Shortly after the attack, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced it was planning to halt its activity in Turkey, a news website close to the PKK reported, as cited by Reuters.
The Kurds have been fighting Turkish authorities for several decades, demanding an independent state or at least greater autonomy. The Turkish Kurds´ main insurgent group, the PKK, considered as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and NATO, was founded in 1978 and has been engaged in fighting with Turkey since 1984. (RT)
The Kurds have been fighting Turkish authorities for several decades, demanding an independent state or at least greater autonomy. The Turkish Kurds´ main insurgent group, the PKK, considered as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and NATO, was founded in 1978 and has been engaged in fighting with Turkey since 1984. (RT)
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