Bomb in Ankara Kills Six

A commercial centre in Ulus, an old part of Ankara, was yesterday shaken by a bomb which killed six and injured 100.

Four dead identified

While four of the bodies have been identified, two are still being examined. Of the 100 injured, 16 are in critical condition. 10 of the injured are said to be from Pakistan.

Because the bomb went off near a bus stop and shops in the Anafartalar Commercial Centre, most of the injured are shopkeepers, street vendors and people who were waiting for buses.

Possibly Suicide Bomb

Security officers who have examined the bomb site speak of the possibility of a suicde bomber. While the media has described the explosives used as "type A4", a type often used by the PKK, the officers have declared that there is no conclusive evidence yet. TV channels have been banned from filming the site.

Public reactions

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who came to the bomb site immediately, said that "This has shown again that we need to unite against terrorism".

The Chief of General Staff Yasar Büyükanit said, "This was not a simple explosion. It is to be expected that terror organisations will do this in all big cities. We have to look at the institutions supporting terrorism".

President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said that he condemned "the treacherous attack on innocent people and the ideas that the attackers represent".

Deniz Baykal, the leader of the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), talked about a "painful and saddening event." He called for "national solidarity".

The American Embassy in Ankara spoke of its determination to collaborate with Turkey in "the war against terror", and Sean McCormak, speaker of the US Foreign Ministry, declared that "our hearts are with those who have lost their beloved in the attack." (TK/NZ/EÜ/AG)