Blast in Istanbul leaves at least 15 as injured

Istanbul, Oct.31 (ANI): A blast in the centre of Istanbul has left at least 15 persons as injured.

The incident occurred at Taksim Square in the morning. The local police, meanwhile, have cordoned off the area for security purposes.

After a security cordon was thrown round the area, the nearby pedestrianised Istiklal street was closed off.

Ambulances have taken the injured to hospital, while medical staff are treating others at the scene, BBC quoted local reports as stating.

According to Turkish television, it is feared that the blast might have been carried out by a suicide bomber, whose target was anti-riot police.

It may be noted that members of the separatist rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and extreme left-wing groups have carried out bomb attacks in the past in Istanbul.(ANI)