Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
World News
Updated Aug. 20, 2016 at 7:28 PM

Dozens killed and injured in explosion targeting wedding party in Turkey

By
Doug G. Ware

GAZIANTEP, Turkey, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- More than two dozen people were killed and many others were injured Saturday in an attack on a wedding party attended by hundreds in Turkey, officials said.

Police said an explosion, possibly a suicide bomber, targeted the outdoor nuptials in Gaziantep province -- located near the border with Syria in southern Turkey.

Officials said Saturday that at least 22 people were killed and nearly 100 were wounded.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek said the death toll might be higher than initially reported, The Daily Sabah reported.

RECOMMENDED Thursday: 3 attacks on Turkey security forces kill, injure more than 200

"There are people who lost their lives and we have initial information suggesting it was a bomb attack," Mehmet Erdogan, of Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), said.

Video: Ruptly

An AKP deputy, Şamil Tayyar, said the Islamic State was behind Saturday's attack.

Authorities, though, are looking into the possibility that the wedding attack might have been orchestrated by Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants, due to the fact that the bombing occurred exactly four years to the day after a different strike by the left-wing group killed 10 in 2012.

Police say the PKK was responsible for three attacks in Turkey earlier this week that killed several people and wounded more than 200.

Southern Turkey has been targeted by several militant attacks over the past year, much of them related to the ongoing hostilities in neighboring Syria -- particularly Aleppo.

Read More

U.S. Air Force scrambled F-15s after suspected Syrian airstrikes, Pentagon says 3 attacks targeting Turkey security forces kill several, injure more than 200 Turkey to free 38,000 people jailed prior to coup attempt
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more UPI news and photos.

Trending Stories

Police: Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitutes
R&B singer R. Kelly charged with aggravated sex abuse
Venezuelan troops open fire at border ahead of aid delivery; 2 dead
Trump: U.N. nominee will be current ambassador to Canada
Father of Ala. woman who joined Islamic State sues Trump to let her return

Photo Gallery

 
The 1975, Dua Lipa walk Brit Awards red carpet

Latest News

Tainted booze in India kills 85 people, sickens hundreds
Pentagon to send another 1,000 troops to Mexican border
Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' tops the U.S. album chart
Reports: Standup comedian Brody Stevens dead at 48
California parents of 13 children plead guilty to abuse
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy