Terror attack in Istanbul claims 29 lives

At least 29 people, including 27 police officers, were martyred in two separate bomb attacks in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, the country’s interior minister said early Sunday.

Two police chiefs were among the deceased and at least 166 people were injured, Suleyman Soylu told reporters in Istanbul.

Ten suspects have been detained as part of an ongoing probe, he added.

Health Minister Recep Akdag said 20 of the injured have been discharged from hospital while 17 are in surgery, and six are in intensive care units, three of them in critical condition.

Two blasts rocked the city, a car bomb followed within the minute by a suicide bomb, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus explained.

Turkish Prime Ministry said in a statement, a day of national mourning has been declared on Sunday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack targeted police and civilians alike, and sought to cause the most casualties.

"When Turkey takes a positive step towards the future, the response comes immediately in the form of blood, loss of life, brutality, and chaos by terrorist organizations," Erdogan said.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim earlier said the government would dedicate every resource possible to thoroughly investigate the "vile attack”.

"The murderers who ambush life, peace, and happiness will not defeat the integrity of the state and the nation. They will not be able to divert Turkey from the path of democracy and law," Yildirim said.

The explosion occurred two hours after a Turkish football league match between Besiktas and Bursaspor at the Vodafone Arena.

Nihat Yildiz, who saw the blast, told Anadolu Agency he heard two explosions within one minute of each other.

"We saw a huge flame along with the blast. The windows of the restaurant broke into pieces with the pressure of the explosion. Then we heard gunfire for two minutes,” he said.

Another witness, Abdullah Cavus, a Bursaspor fan, said the blast happened right after buses carrying fans moved from the scene.

The American embassy took to Twitter to denounce the attack. "We condemn tonight's cowardly attack, and salute the courage of the Turkish people as we stand with them against terror,” it said.

In Washington, the White House condemned the attack "in the strongest terms", and pledged solidarity.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and loved ones, and to all the people of Turkey," National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement. " We stand together with Turkey, our NATO Ally, against all terrorists who threaten Turkey, the United States, and global peace and stability.​"

President of the European Parliament posted a comment on social media. "My thoughts & solidarity with Turkish citizens, with families of victims of Istanbul attack. I wish speedy and full recovery to the injured,” Martin Schulz said.

A spokesman for Council of Europe Secretary General said Ankara would find support from Europe. "Turkey can rely on the solidarity and support of European governments and the Council of Europe after today's Istanbul terrorist attack," Daniel Holtgen said.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the attack, calling it as "horrific acts of terror." He stressed that NATO stands united in solidarity with its ally Turkey. "We remain determined to fight terrorism in all its forms," he added.

UK Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson said that "UK committed to working with Turkey to tackle terrorism," adding that his thoughts are with all those affected.