Gas explosion near Istanbul’s Taksim injures four

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

The explosion was heard several kilometers away, even on the Anatolian side of the city. AFP photo

A loud gas explosion in a street near Istanbul’s central Taksim area injured four people and caused panic in the city on Feb. 17.

The mayor of Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, Ahmet Misbah Demircan, confirmed that the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

"It is not a terror incident. There are four injured people. Six or seven buildings were damaged," Demircan said, adding that measures were being taken as there was a gas smell in the street.

Istanbul Police Chief Selami Altınok said all four injured people had been transferred to hospital. None of them have life-threatening injuries, he added.

The explosion took place in a sculpture workshop on the entrance floor of a building on Kazancı Street, downhill from Taksim Square, witnesses said. 

Ambulances and fire fighters were immediately dispatched to the area after the explosion.

Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu also confirmed in his first statements after the incident that the blast occured following a gas leak or a gas cylinder explosion.

The area's surroundings have been cleared by security forces, over the risk of a second explosion.

The explosion was heard several kilometers away, even on the Anatolian side of the city.