Mltiple Explosions, gunfire and smoke were reported in the Taksim area in central Istanbul on Saturday evening. Pictures of grey clouds rising near the Besiktas football stadium quickly emerged online. According to unconfirmed media reports, the explosion happened after a football game near the Besiktas Vodafone arena stadium. Initial reports suggest there were two explosions which were followed by gunshots.
According to officials, a car bomb targeting a vehicle carrying riot police exploded outside Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, wounding 20 people.
Vodafone Arena çevresinden gelen ilk görüntüler. pic.twitter.com/p0BpoYaz6a
— soL Edebiyat (@solcuedebiyat) December 10, 2016
The moment the explosion struck can be heard on this clip:
BJK Tv yay?ndayken patlama an? ve ya?anan korku pic.twitter.com/mH7iX8oBm8
— Spor Haberleri (@sporhaberleritv) December 10, 2016
In a TV statement by the Interior Minister, at least 20 people have been wounded.
The bomb by the stadium was louder and bigger; the one by the park smaller #istanbul #bombing #besiktas pic.twitter.com/MHkKbBxilj
— Ramazan Hakki Oztan (@rhoztan) December 10, 2016
According to initial reports one of the two explosions targeted a bus transporting riot police #Istanbul
— Michael Horowitz (@michaelh992) December 10, 2016
Explosion happened during a soccer game near the Besiktas Vodafone arena stadium in #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/YxKSx8Q5y7
— Michael Horowitz (@michaelh992) December 10, 2016
Picture in #Istanbul for what they say explosion near to football stadium @AhmadAlkhtiib pic.twitter.com/OJ21A6LMmI
— Global News (@ofirzarfati) December 10, 2016
BREAKING: I just have heard gunfire now in Findikli area, near Kabatas. Ambulances rushing their way through
— Selin Girit (@selingirit) December 10, 2016
URGENT: Reports of #explosions in #Istanbul https://t.co/0PhTkPuyhv pic.twitter.com/wlIOESsr9B #besiktas
— RT (@RT_com) December 10, 2016
Ortal?k gena kar??m??. Yanm?? bir minibüs ve yerlere saç?lm?? polis kasklar?. pic.twitter.com/LQFmaOKlzY
— . (@armyinpolitics) December 10, 2016
Others report two explosions near Taksim/Macka Park. Police evacuating people from the area
Just saw two explosions near Taksim/Macka Park. Police evacuating people from the area
— Christopher Lord (@ChristopherL0rd) December 10, 2016
Gunfire was also reported near Taksim square:
BREAKING: Two explosions followed by gunfire heard near Taksim Square in Istanbul
— BNO News (@BNONews) December 10, 2016
URGENT: At least 20 wounded in #blast outside #Besiktas stadium - interior minister https://t.co/0PhTkPuyhv pic.twitter.com/Iaet7f0bO1
— RT (@RT_com) December 10, 2016
The explosions take place shortly after Turkey’s government submitted a bill on Saturday to overhaul the constitution and essentially enshrine Erdogan as quasi-dictator, and concentrating power in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office, a controversial move that risks further destabilizing the country amid myriad security and economic threats.
The bill includes measures that would call for Turkey’s president to run his own cabinet and acquire executive powers currently vested in the parliamentary government. The changes give the head of state sweeping powers to govern by decree, and could potentially allow Mr. Erdogan to rule for two, five-year terms until 2029, the draft legislation shows.
The passage of the bill would send these amendments to a national referendum that would likely be held in late spring or summer. The changes, if accepted, would go into effect in 2019.