Investigation launched over suspicions of sabotage after explosion hits Ankara

ANKARA

An investigation was launched over suspicions of sabotage after an explosion hit a tax office in the Turkish Capital Ankara on Feb. 1. Three people were slightly injured due to the explosion.

“The possibility of sabotage has gained strength. We are working on it,” said Ankara Governor Ercan Topaca following the incident.

“In our ongoing work, the probability of natural gas compression as a cause seems less likely. We are considering the possibility of sabotage but it has not been detected 100 percent. Our friends are working on this. We expect to reach a definite conclusion in the coming hours,” Topaca added.

The explosion occurred in the boiler room of the tax office in Ankara’s Çukurambar district. A loud explosion was heard and rocked almost the whole province.

Topaca arrived at the scene immediately for investigation as police teams and ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

“An explosion has occurred in the gas boiler room of a building in Çukurambar, the cause of which is currently unknown,” Topaca wrote on his Twitter account.

“According to initial reports, there are no casualties,” he added.

Ambulances rushed to the scene following the sound of the explosion.

Images from the scene showed extensive damage to the building’s facade. The windows of buildings and cars were blown out and debris was strewn in the street.

The building had been empty aside from security personnel at the time of the explosion, local media said.