10 people wounded due to explosion of prison bus in western Turkey

İZMİR – Doğan News Agency

A total of 10 people were wounded due to an explosion while a prison bus was passing in the Aegean province of İzmir on Aug. 31. There were no casualties reported.

Officials confirmed the explosion was caused by a hand-made bomb hidden in a garbage container, which was detonated with a remote control system. The prison bus was carrying officials and prison wardens in İzmir’s Buca district.

The İzmir Chief Prosecution Office issued a written statement, remarking that an investigation was started into the incident.

Seven of those who were injured in the explosion were prison personnel, according to the statement.

“A hand-made bomb, which was located on the transit route of the service vehicle carrying staff of Buca Kırıklar Prison, was detonated on Aug. 31, 2017 in İzmir’s Buca District, Ahmet Piriştina Boulevard at 8:01 a.m. Seven people, including service driver and six officials were wounded. After the treacherous attack, the wounded ones were taken to the nearest hospitals and six of them were discharged after necessary tests and treatment. One of our staff, who was injured in the foot, was also discharged. An investigation has been initiated by the İzmir Public Prosecution Office regarding the incident,” said the statement.

However, the latest reports showed that 10 people were wounded in the explosion, including one who is in critical condition.

Seven of them were discharged from the hospital, but three remain in treatment.
Meanwhile, the explosion also damaged nearby vehicles.

The street, where the explosion occurred, was closed to traffic.

A number of security forces and ambulances were also dispatched to the scene.

İzmir Police Commissioner Hüseyin Aşkın arrived at the scene following the explosion and learned the details.

Turkish Justice Minister, Abdülhamit Gül condemned the attack via his official Twitter account.

“I condemn the treacherous attack on the prison service vehicle in İzmir with hatred. I wish an immediate recovery for our wounded personnel,” he wrote.