Istanbul Blast: India Conveys 'Deepest Condolences' To Turkey On Tragic Loss Of Lives

The President of Turkey said that initial signs suggest that the blast was a ''terror'' attack.

India on Sunday condoled the tragic loss of lives in the blast that took place in Istanbul earlier in the day. Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, conveyed India’s deepest condolences and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.  

He tweeted, "India conveys its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye on the tragic loss of lives in the blast that took place in Istanbul today. Our sympathies are also with those who sustained injuries. We wish them a speedy recovery." 

Earlier in the day, an explosion took place at Istanbul's well-known pedestrian Istiklal Avenue killing at least six people and leaving 53 injured, according to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as reported by news agency AFP. Videos of the blast have also surfaced on social media.

Ambulances, fire vehicles, and police were visible on camera at the site. Users of social media claimed that the avenue was closed and that stores had closed.  

Several media sites posted images and videos of the location showing wounded people escaping the explosion. Ambulances and police were seen en route to the site on Istanbul's well-known Istiklal Street in the Beyoglu neighbourhood in reports from the Turkish broadcaster TRT and other media outlets. According to the state-owned Anadolu agency, the explosion's cause is yet unknown.  

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the "vile attack". AFP quoted him saying in a press conference, "The relevant units of our state are working to find the perpetrators... behind this vile attack." He also said that initial signs pointed to a "terror" attack in the explosion in Istanbul which wounded 53 people.  

"It might be wrong if we say for sure that this is terror but according to first signs... there is a smell of terror there," Erdogan said. "The attempt to take over Turkey and the Turkish nation through terrorism will not reach its goal today or tomorrow," he added.