Newsuk news world newsTurkey

Ankara: At Least 86 Dead After Two Explosions At Rally In Turkish Capital

At Least 86 Dead After Explosions In Ankara
Steven Hopkins
|

At least 86 people are dead after two explosions hit a peace rally in the Turkish capital Ankara in a suspected terrorist attack.

The Turkish ministry have confirmed that at least 30 people have been killed and 186 wounded in the blasts at 10.05am local time.

According to the BBC the target of the blasts, near the city's central train station, appeared to be a march calling for an end to the violence with the Kurdish separatist group, the PKK.

Open Image Modal

At least 86 people were killed after two explosions in the Turkish capital of Ankara

The Turkish government suspects that the twin blasts was a "terrorist" attack, according to reports.

"We suspect that there is a terrorist connection," a government official told AFP, asking not to be named.

The pro-Kurdish HDP party was among those calling for Saturday's rally for "peace and democracy", which was due to start at midday.

An HDP rally in the city of Diyarbakir was bombed in June, ahead of general elections.

Turkey is holding another election next month.

Ankara explosions
(01 of21)
Open Image Modal
A wounded man is carried into an ambulance following an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey. An explosion hit Ankara train station Saturday morning leaving dozens of people dead and injured, as many people gathered outside the station for a peace demonstration to be held in nearby at Sihhiye Square. (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(02 of21)
Open Image Modal
Blood covered flags are seen at the blast scene after an explosion during a peace march in Ankara, October 10, 2015 Turkey (credit:Gokhan Tan via Getty Images)
(03 of21)
Open Image Modal
People react at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(04 of21)
Open Image Modal
A man reacts at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(05 of21)
Open Image Modal
People react at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(06 of21)
Open Image Modal
People react at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(07 of21)
Open Image Modal
A man cries at the blast scene after an explosion during a peace march in Ankara, October 10, 2015 Turkey (credit:Erhan Ortac via Getty Images)
(08 of21)
Open Image Modal
Victims of the explosion at Ankara's main train station react as they arrive at Numune Hospital for treatment on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(09 of21)
Open Image Modal
A damaged door of Ankara's main train station is seen after an explosion on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(10 of21)
Open Image Modal
An injured woman is comforted following an explosion at the main train station in Turkey's capital Ankara, on October 10, 2015 (credit:ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images)
(11 of21)
Open Image Modal
Survivors react after an explosion during a peace march in Ankara, October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Gokhan Tan via Getty Images)
(12 of21)
Open Image Modal
People are seen outside the Ankara's main train station before an explosion on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(13 of21)
Open Image Modal
Turkish officials inspect the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(14 of21)
Open Image Modal
Injured people are comforted following an explosion at the main train station in Turkey's capital Ankara, on October 10, 2015 (credit:ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images)
(15 of21)
Open Image Modal
Turkish officials carry the body of the victims at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
TURKEY-POLITICS-BLAST(16 of21)
Open Image Modal
A woman is comforted following an explosion at the main train station in Turkey's capital Ankara, on October 10, 2015. At least 30 people were killed in twin explosions in Turkey's capital Ankara, targeting activists gathering for a peace rally organised by leftist and pro-Kurdish opposition groups. AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images)
Explosion close to Ankara's main train station(17 of21)
Open Image Modal
ANKARA, TURKEY - OCTOBER 10: Men look at the name list of the people who were injured in an explosion close to Ankara's main train station at the Ibn-i Sina hospital on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey. An explosion hit Ankara train station Saturday morning leaving 30 people dead and 126 others injured, as many people gathered outside the station for a peace demonstration to be held in nearby at Sihhiye Square. (Photo by Murat Kula/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Explosion close to Ankara's main train station(18 of21)
Open Image Modal
ANKARA, TURKEY - OCTOBER 10: Turkish officials inspect the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey. An explosion hit Ankara train station Saturday morning leaving 30 people dead and 126 others injured, as many people gathered outside the station for a peace demonstration to be held in nearby at Sihhiye Square. (Photo by Aykut Unlupinar/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Explosion close to Ankara's main train station(19 of21)
Open Image Modal
ANKARA, TURKEY - OCTOBER 10: Turkish officials carry the body of the victims at the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey. An explosion hit Ankara train station Saturday morning leaving 30 people dead and 126 others injured, as many people gathered outside the station for a peace demonstration to be held in nearby at Sihhiye Square. (Photo by Okan Ozer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Explosion close to Ankara's main train station(20 of21)
Open Image Modal
ANKARA, TURKEY - OCTOBER 10: Turkish Interior Minister Selami Altinok, Turkish Justice Minister Kenan Ipek and Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu inspect the site of an explosion close to Ankara's main train station on October 10, 2015 in Ankara, Turkey. An explosion hit Ankara train station Saturday morning leaving 30 people dead and 126 others injured, as many people gathered outside the station for a peace demonstration to be held in nearby at Sihhiye Square. (Photo by Volkan Furuncu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
TURKEY-POLITICS-BLAST(21 of21)
Open Image Modal
People carry away a victim following twin explosions at the main train station in Turkey's capital Ankara, on October 10, 2015. At least 30 people were killed and 126 were injured in the blasts which happened ahead of an anti-government peace rally organised by leftist groups later in the day, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADEM ALTAN via Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip