SIX DEAD IN ISTANBUL BOMB BLAST

SIX people were killed and dozens wounded when a bomb exploded on a popular pedestrian street in Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday.

Istiklal Avenue is a typically crowded thoroughfare popular with tourists and locals, and lined with shops and restaurants.

In a video posted on social media, a loud bang could be heard and flames could be seen, as pedestrians turned and ran away.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the blast a “treacherous attack” and said its perpetrators would be punished. In addition to the six fatalities, Mr Erdogan said a further 53 had been wounded, according to information he had received from authorities.