Three die in double blast

Two explosions in the Turkish capital Istanbul have killed at least three people and injured several others, it was reported tonight.

At least 12 people could be seen lying on the ground in the residential Gungoren district of the city following the two consecutive blasts, according to a reporter at the scene.

A further 20 people have been taken to a nearby hospital, the Dogan news agency said.

At least five people were in a critical condition, according to other reports.

A firefighter said the cause of the two explosions were not known.

The bombs were placed in rubbish bins in a square packed with people, Mr Guler said.

“There is no doubt that this is a terror attack,” he said, adding that police were investigating who were behind the blasts.

Kurdish, left-wing and Islamist militants are active in Istanbul and have carried out bombings in the city in the past.

“The first explosion was not very strong,” said Huseyin Senturk, who owns a shoe shop in the area. “Several people came to see what was going on. That’s when the second explosion occurred and it injured many onlookers.”

The second explosion could be heard a mile away, according to a reporter who arrived to the scene shortly after the blasts.

Nurettin Kapucu, a doctor at a nearby hospital, said some 25 people were being treated there. Three of them were in serious condition.

Broken glass, items of clothing, shop mannequins and other debris were strewn on the ground.

Police sealed off the two separate locations at the square where the explosions occurred.

“The fact that there was a crowd in the area has increased the number of casualties,” Mr Guler said.

Bomb squads in white overalls could be seen inspecting the scene.

Deputy prime minister Hayati Yazici said 15 of the injured were in a critical condition.

CNN-Turk television, citing security sources, said police believe Kurdish rebels may be responsible for the attack. It said intelligence reports had suggested that the rebels were planning a bombing campaign in Turkish cities.

Kurdish, left-wing and Islamist militants are active in Istanbul and have carried out bombings in the city in the past.

But Mr Yazici said authorities did not yet know who was responsible.