Two killed, 33 injured in bomb attack in Turkey’s Adana

ADANA

AA photo

Two people were killed and another 33 were injured on Nov. 24 when a bomb-laden vehicle parked in the parking lot of the governor’s office in the southern province of Adana was detonated.
The explosion in the parking lot occurred at 8:05 a.m. when a militant, who was revealed to be a woman, detonated the bomb-laden car at the start of work. Vehicles in the parking lot burnt while locals nearby were also injured. The governor’s building was also damaged in the attack.

Several ambulances and police teams immediately rushed to the area after the blast.        

Adana Gov. Mahmut Demirtaş said the militant parked the Mersin-plated car near his parking area before detonating it remotely.

Doğan News Agency reported that the 2001-model car used in the attack was sold at a notary on Nov. 22 from a person identified as H.A., who is registered in Adıyaman province, to M.S.Y., registered in Diyarbakır province.

Meanwhile, police seized a second vehicle with a bomb setup in the Seyhan district in the afternoon hours, shooting the suspect in a clash after he refused to obey calls to stop.

The suspect was later apprehended in an injured state.

Elsewhere, security forces detained five suspects during simultaneous operations conducted at various addresses.

The Adana 8th Criminal Court of Peace also issued a gag order on reporting about the explosion until the investigation is completed.

EU Minister Ömer Çelik told reporters at the governor’s office that two people were killed and another 33 were injured in the attack.

One of the victims was identified as Gökhan Aygül, who was a temporary gardener at the governor’s office.
 The other was identified as Kadir Kırbaşçı, who had been appointed to the state of emergency bureau.

According to Çelik, the attack directly targeted Demirtaş, adding that the perpetrators would be apprehended in a short time.

“We conducted an assessment regarding the terror attack and its connections are being solved. We expect to find the perpetrators in a short time. The attack directly targeted the governor’s office and it is seen that it targeted Mr. Governor. His entrance hours were targeted within a very short time period,” Çelik said.

Earlier, the minister tweeted Ankara’s commitment to “fight terrorism to the end in the name of humanity.”
Meanwhile, accompanying Çelik, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak also noted that Demirtaş escaped the attack by mere minutes.

Albayrak also stated the government would not cancel programs despite terror attacks.

“In recent years, Turkey has been experiencing a very intense process in its fight against terror. That incident gave a very clear message. After that time and particularly after July 15, I want to express very clearly that none of the incidents will hinder Turkey from the direction it wants to reach,” Albayrak said.

The Nov. 24 attack also drew condemnations from a range of political figures.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş condemned the attack on Twitter, vowing that Turkey would “not surrender to terrorism.”

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu also immediately briefed Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım about the attack.

Parliamentary Speaker İsmail Kahraman also issued a statement, condemning the attack.

In addition, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also extended his condolences to the victims, saying terror and its collaborators had targeted peace in Adana.

From the opposition ranks, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu called Demirtaş to condemn the “treacherous” attack, according a written statement from the party.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy to Turkey also condemned the attack. 

“We strongly condemn the outrageous terrorist attack in Adana. We mourn those lost, wish wounded speedy recovery, & stand w/Turkey against terror,” the embassy tweeted.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Consulate in Adana had warned its citizens against potential bomb attacks and violent acts across the province.

In an updated warning on Nov. 24, the consulate recommended all U.S. citizens to avoid the area, maintain high level of vigilance, monitor local media and exercise caution.