At least thirty die in terrorist attack in Turkey

Hundreds of young Kurdish activists had gathered in the cultural centre. They planned to go to the Syrian city of Kobane, which is only 10 km away. 

Evangelical Focus

Euronews, BBC, The Guardian · ANKARA · 20 JULY 2015 · 16:32 CET

Ambulances picking up the wounded in the aftermath of the explosion. / Shutterstock,kobane, Buruc
Ambulances picking up the wounded in the aftermath of the explosion. / Shutterstock

An explosion in a cultural centre in Suruc (south-east of Turkey) caused the death of at least 30 people. Turkish officials told journalists that initial evidence suggested it could have been a suicide attack.

Around a hundred people are being treated in local hospitals and there are concerns the death toll could rise.

Suruc is a small Kurdish-majority city which is only 10 km away from the Syrian city of Kobane.

 

Map of the region. / The Guardian

Turkish officials have said initial evidence indicates it was a suicide attack by the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned the bombing.

 

TARGET: YOUNG PEOPLE PLANNING TO SUPPORT KOBANE

At the time of the attack, dozens of young activists "in University age" were preparing to make a statement and cross the border into Kobane to help to rebuild the Syrian city. Kobane was secured by Syrian Kurdish fighters in June following an assault by Daesh jihadists.

The Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) reported to have had at least 300 members staying at the Amara Culture Centre at the moment.

This suicide bomb attack is one of the bloodiest suicide attacks in Turkey in years.

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