Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay (C) and government officials walk out of a hospital near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
ISTANBUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday.
"We evaluate this to be an act of terror, carried out seemingly by a female assailant," stated the vice president.
"We will find those who are responsible, even if they run to the end of the world," said Oktay.
An explosion hit the busy Istiklal Avenue on the European side of Istanbul at 4:20 p.m. local time (1320 GMT) on Sunday, causing huge panic in the city.
Among the 81 wounded are two still in critical condition, according to Oktay.
Law enforcement agencies are on high alert, with police officers guarding key points and helicopters patrolling over the city.
Five prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the explosion, according to the prosecutor's office. ■
Police are seen on the Istiklal avenue near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Reporters work at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Police are seen on the Istiklal avenue near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
People console each other on the Istiklal avenue near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
An ambulance is seen at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Reporters work at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Police are seen at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
An ambulance is seen at a hospital near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Police are seen at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Police are seen at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
A helicopter patrols over the Istiklal avenue near Taksim Square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 13, 2022. The blast in Istanbul's popular pedestrian avenue that killed six and wounded 81 was confirmed to be a terror attack, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Sunday. (Xinhua/Shadati)
