Taxi driver discovers bomb, averts disaster

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

The bomb squad arrived at the scene in Istanbul’s Esenler district and determined that the suitcase, left in a taxi seat actually contained a powerful bomb. DHA photo

Bomb disposal teams successfully diffused an explosive device that was left in a taxi by two wanted suspects who were taken into custody Jan. 10 after their cab was stopped by police.

Police stopped the cab at 8.30 p.m. in Istanbul’s Esenler district to conduct an identity check. Officers took the two into custody after seeing that the pair was wanted on a variety of criminal offenses but let taxi driver Abdullah Sönmez go, according to reports.

After the incident, Sönmez departed for the nearby district of Bahçelievler but soon noticed a suitcase in the back seat. He then reportedly pulled into the taxi rank at the Kadir Has Mall, opened the suitcase and discovered the contents.

The bomb squad arrived at the scene and conducted a controlled detonation with a robot. After conducting a preliminary examination of the remnants of the suitcase and its contents, police determined that it contained a powerful bomb.

The two detainees were later handed over to anti-terror police, while evidence gathered from the scene was brought to a criminal laboratory for further investigation.