At least 18 killed in huge explosion in car bomb attack in Ankara

A big explosion that officials said was an “act of terrorism” took place in the Turkish capital of Ankara, killing at least 18 people and injuring another 45.

Ankara Governor Mehmet Kılıçlar said the officials believe the explosion was caused by a car bomb and initial reports said five were killed.

The Ankara Governor’s Office and the Interior Ministry later raised the death toll to 18, adding that at least 45 others were wounded, the Turkish Today’s Zaman reported.

News reports say buses carrying military personnel have been targeted. The explosion took place as the buses were arriving at a military lodging facility in downtown Ankara, according to reports.

The blast targeted military service buses as they waited at traffic lights, the Turkish military later said in a statement.

The attack happened at height of evening rush hour in the capital, not far from Turkey’s parliament, government buildings and military headquarters.

The military added that it condemned the “contemptible and dastardly” attack. The army did not say how many military personnel were on board the buses.

“I heard a huge explosion. There was smoke and a really strong smell even though we were blocks away,” a Reuters witness said.

Ömer Çelik, a spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), wrote in Twitter that the explosion was an “act of terrorism.”

The explosion took place in a central area of Ankara, in close proximity to the Turkish General Staff headquarters, the Prime Ministry, Parliament and Defense Ministry. It happened during the rush hour, raising fear that the casualties might increase.

20 ambulances were sent to the scene of the blast, the Health Ministry officials were quoted as saying by private broadcaster CNN Türk.