Turkish PM Erdoğan briefed on explosion at Syrian-Turkish border gate

ANKARA

At least nine civilians were killed and 30 others were wounded today due to a blast near the Cilvegözü border gate on the Turkish Syrian border. AA photo

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received information regarding an explosion along the Syria-Turkey border from Interior Minister Muammer Güler during the cabinet meeting today.

There was no immediate reaction from the government as the Cabinet meeting is still underway. 

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Interior Minister Güler and Customs and Trade Minister Hayati Yazıcı will travel to Hatay following the meeting.

President Abdullah Gül also called Hatay Gov. Celalettin Lekesiz and received latest information on the explosion.

The situation at the border gate is “out of control,” Refik Eryılmaz, the main opposition Republican and People’s Party’s (CHP) Hatay deputy, said in criticism. People from both countries travel freely through the gate without being checked, he told Habertürk news channel.

“The explosion [along near the border gate] took place at the buffer zone. It was a powerful explosion. It seems that it is not a mortar shell,” NTV reported Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Levent Gümrükçü said.