6 dead, 81 injured in Istanbul explosion

Turkish officials have reported that an explosion in a crowded area of central Istanbul resulted in at least six fatalities and 81 injuries.

The explosion occurred on a retail streetnear Taksim Square at around 16:20 localtime (13:20 GMT), according to Ali Yerlikaya,the governor of the Turkish city.

According to vice president Fuat Oktay, the explosion was likely the result of a female terrorist act.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the perpetrators would be punished.

Cemal Denizci,an eyewitness,was approximately 50 meters (54 yards) away when he heard the explosion. He told AFP,”I observed three or four individuals on the ground.”

“People were running in panic… There was black smoke. The noise was so strong, almost deafening,” he said.