One Suspect Detained As Part of Investigation Into Deadly Istanbul Bombing

Turkish authorities detained on Saturday one suspect over the deadly explosion in the Turkish city of Istanbul, NTV broadcaster reported, citing a police source.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, a blast occurred at the central Istikal street, which is one of the major tourist attractions in Istanbul. The police and the ambulance cars are at the scene, the area has been cordoned off.

Police have closed off Istiklal Street following bombing, 2 wounded #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/tGzi9kDFpD

— Hassan Ridha (@sayed_ridha) 19 марта 2016 г.

According to Turkish Health Ministry, at least five people were killed, while 36 were injured in the explosion.

#Turkey: reports of explosion on Istiklal in Taksim. It appears some people are wounded but few details. #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/o0TMi4nekH

— Lucy Kafanov (@LucyKafanov) 19 марта 2016 г.

Counsulates of several countries are located in the area where the explosion occurred.

The explosion comes as Turkey is on edge following two recent suicide bomb attacks in the country's capital of Ankara.

Earlier this week, the German Foreign Ministry said that the German Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate General in Istanbul as well as German schools in both cities had been closed due to the high threat of terrorist attacks.