ANKARA (Sputnik) — No information has been received on casualties of Russian citizens in the Istanbul blast, a representative of the Russian Consulate General said Saturday.
“The Russian Consulate General has no information so far on the Russian citizens, who may have been in the the explosion area. However, due to the fact that it was a football match between two local teams, the presence of Russians there is unlikely. We continue to follow the situation,” the representative told RIA Novosti.
Earlier in the day, reports said an explosion took place in the central Besiktas district of the city, with at least 20 people injured, including police officers. Gunshots have been heard in the area.
The blast occurred near the Vodafone Arena over an hour after a football match concluded at the stadium. The police bus was carrying officers in charge of public order during the event, according to the channel.
