Reyhanlı bombings death toll reaches 52

REYHANLI – Doğan News Agency

Twin car bombs hit the Reyhanlı district of the southern province of Hatay on May 11. DHA photo

The death toll of the twin car bombs in the Reyhanlı district of the southern province of Hatay, on the Syrian border, has risen to 52 as another victim died in the hospital on May 27.

Mustafa Kuday, 55, died in the neighboring province of Adana. Kuday was a father of six. His body was sent to Adana Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy.

Reyhanlı had witnessed a big tragedy on May 11 when two cars exploded in the district’s crowded central area in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, a soldier in Hatay’s Reyhanlı caused panic in the district when he began shooting at random after having a nervous breakdown yesterday. The soldier, whose name was withheld by the Turkish Army, had left the outpost at which he was assigned to stand guard at 6:30 p.m., armed with his G-3 rifle.

The soldier reportedly began walking through Antakya city center and opened fire in all directions, without targeting specific places or people.

Security forces immediately closed the linked roads to traffic and tried to convince the soldier to leave his arm and three full charges.

The soldier was brought under control after two-hour long efforts and was then hospitalized in Antakya.