ISTANBUL, Turkey, Jan. 12 (UPI) — At least 10 people died after an explosion Tuesday morning at the popular tourist Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Turkey, near the city’s historic Blue Mosque.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office said at least 15 people were wounded in the blast, BBC News reported. Foreign tourists were reportedly among the victims.
The cause of the blast has not been determined. The surrounding area was shut down by police.
“I’ve never heard such a loud explosion in my life,” shop owner Sener Ozdemir, 45, told Anadolu Agency of the blast near Sultanahmet Square. “It was very violent. Just after the incident I saw shocked tourists falling to the ground.”
Turkey has faced increased violence in recent months generated by the Islamic State and after a ceasefire broke down between the Turkish government and PKK Kurdish rebel militants — which led to airstrikes by Turkey and bombings by rebels.
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