Explosion rocks Ankara, at least two dead

PanARMENIAN.Net - An explosion rocked the Turkish capital of Ankara on Tuesday, September 20, killing at least two people and seriously injuring three others, initial reports said.

Turkish television broadcasters have shown several vehicles on fire in the capital following the explosion. An NTV broadcaster said the blast took place in a vehicle on Kumrular Street in Kızılay and that a fire broke out as a result. NTV said at least six cars and a building were seriously damaged after the blast and that two people were seen to have died. Çankaya Governor Bülent Tanık said, however, nobody was killed in the explosion. He said one eyewitness had said a LPG tank explosion caused the explosion.

Reports said several others were injured. The explosion reportedly took place in front of the Çankaya District Governor's Office and a primary school. The explosion is also near the Prime Ministry building.

Ambulances have been dispatched to the scene and police have cordoned off the area, fearing a second explosion. The reason for the blast is still to be determined. The private news agency also said the explosion could have been caused by a bomb attack, while there are also claims that an LPG tank explosion may also have caused the blast.

Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay, Ankara Police Chief Zeki Çatalkaya and many other officials rushed to the area. Police are not ruling out the possibility that the blast may have been a terrorist attack. According to Cihan news agency one person has already been detained on suspected links to the explosion, Today's Zaman reported.