Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack that rocked the Turkish city of Istanbul on Sunday, leaving many dead or injured.
‘Egypt offers its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and the friendly Turkish people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery,’ Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.
He also stressed Egypt’s firm stance that rejects all forms of violence and terrorism, urging world countries to display solidarity in confronting this hateful phenomenon and drying up its financial or intellectual sources.
An explosion on Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue killed four people and injured 38 on Sunday, Turkish authorities said.
The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Five prosecutors were assigned to investigate the explosion, state-run Anadolu news agency said.
A video posted online showed flames erupting and a loud bang, as pedestrians turned and ran away. Other footage showed ambulances, fire trucks and police at the scene. Social media users said shops were shuttered and the avenue closed down.
Turkey’s media watchdog imposed a temporary ban on reporting on the explosion – a move that prevents broadcasters from showing videos of the moment of the blast or its aftermath. The Supreme Council of Radio and Television has imposed similar bans in the past, following attacks and accidents.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya tweeted the death toll and said those hurt were being treated.
Turkey was hit by a string of deadly bombings between 2015 and 2017 by the Daesh group and outlawed Kurdish groups.
