Suicide bomber detonates device in Turkish capital Ankara

The attack occurred as parliament was set to reopen with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Suicide bomber detonates device in Turkish capital Ankara
Turkish policemen and security forces cordon off an area next to a car after an explosion in Ankara (Yavuz Ozden/Dia Images via AP)

A suicide bomber has detonated an explosive device in the heart of the Turkish capital Ankara, hours before parliament was scheduled to reopen after a three-month summer recess.

A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police, the interior minister said.

Two police officers were slightly injured during the attack near an entrance to the Ministry of Interior Affairs, minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The attack occurred as parliament was set to reopen with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A bomb disposal expert works next to a car after an explosion in Ankara (Yavuz Ozden/Dia Images via AP)

There was no immediate information on the assailants.

Kurdish and far-left militant groups as well as the so-called Islamic State group have carried out deadly attacks throughout the country in the past.

Mr Yerlikaya said the assailants arrived at the scene inside a light commercial vehicle.

Television footage showed bomb squads working near a parked vehicle in the area which is located near the Turkish Grand National Assembly and other government buildings.

A rocket launcher could be seen lying near the vehicle.

Police cordoned off access to the city centre.

The two police officers were being treated in hospital and were not in a serious condition, media reports said.

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