NEWS | Ankara Bombing : 29 People Killed in Car Bomb Attack in Turkish Capital

Turkish officials say at least 27 people were killed in a powerful explosion that occurred in the evening on March 13 in the capital, Ankara.

Various Sources

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Ankara, Turkey (March 13, 2016) - Turkish officials say at least 27 people were killed in a powerful explosion that occurred in the evening on March 13 in the capital, Ankara.

CNN Turk quoted the Ankara governor's office as saying at least 75 others were wounded in the blast believed to have been caused by a bomb.

NTV television said it was a suicide car bombing.The news channel said a car, believed to be laden with explosives, detonated close to bus stops near a park at Ankara's main square, Kizilay, a key transport hub and commercial area.

Several vehicles then caught fire, it said. The area is close to government offices, including several ministries.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which came a month after a suicide car bombing just blocks away killed 29 people. Several vehicles at the scene were reduced to burned-out wrecks, including at least one bus.

No group has yet claimed the attack. However, a security official told Reuters news agency that initial findings suggested it was the work of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or an affiliated group.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the US embassy in Ankara warned its citizens on 11 March of a "potential terrorist plot" in the city.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was reported to be convening an emergency security meeting.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been in Istanbul, was briefed on the attack by the interior minister, Hurriyet reported. Mr Erdogan was expected to return to Ankara later.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL, AP, Reuters, dpa, Twitter and AFP