Deadly Blast Hits Suruc in southern Turkey

ANKARA, (ST)- An explosion hit a cultural centre in the southeastern Turkish town of Suruc near the Syrian borders on Monday, killing and wounding scores of people, security officials told Reuters according to the Turkish Today’s Zaman newspaper

It was not immediately clear what caused the blast in the town, some 10 km (6.2 miles) from the Syrian border town of Ein al-Arab (Kobani).

According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reporter in Ankara, the suicide attack targted a gathering for hundreds of young Turkish leftists who came to Suruc from different parts of Turkey to voice their solidarity with the Syrian town of Ein al-Arab (Kobani). The reporter added that at least 25 people were killed and tens others were wounded in the attack.

On its part, Cihan News Agency reported that the explosion was a suicide attack and the bomber was reportedly a member of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The explosion occurred in front of the Amara Culture Center and reportedly injured and killed several people. Police and ambulances were sent to the scene.

Turkish media: At least 10 killed, 20 wounded

The Turkish NTV boradcaster said At least 10 people were killed and more than 20 more were wounded when an explosion ripped through the Turkish town of Suruc near the Syrian border on Monday.

The Turkish security official, who declined to be identified, said that around 20 to 25 people were wounded in the blast.

H.M