[yonif]

Explosions reported in Istanbul; 11 people killed
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Simultaneous explosions ripped through downtown Istanbul near two synagogues on Saturday, killing 11 people, Turkish television reported.
One explosion went off near the Neve Shalom synagogue, the city's largest. The other severely damaged the Beth Israel Synagogue in the affluent district of Sisli, three miles away, reports said.

Television footage showed medical teams carrying away several people, some with charred faces. Firefighters reported 11 dead and several more injured, private CNN-Turk television reported.

Private NTV television said one of the explosions was triggered by a natural gas leak, but CNN-Turk television said police were investigating whether the explosions were deliberate attacks.

In 1986, gunmen killed 22 worshippers and wounded six during a Sabbath service at the synagogue.

[yonif]

Last Update: 15/11/2003 10:52

At least 11 people killed in two large explosion near Istanbul synagogues

By News Agencies



Two explosions rocked Istanbul early Saturday, not
far from two Istanbul synagogues, killing 11
people and seriously injuring at least 30, private
CNN-Turk television said.




One explosion occurred near
Istanbul's largest synagogue,
Neve Shalom, and a second
blast took place near Beth
Israel synagogue.

Army Radio reported that the
explosions were caused by car
bombs and that Israel's
Foreign Ministry confirmed

that two explosions rocked two separate
synagogues in Istanbul.

CNN Turk showed pictures of injured people
covered in blood being carried on stretchers
from the Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul's
Sisli district.

Private NTV television said the explosions were
triggered by a natural gas leak, used to heat
houses and for cooking. The fire department
said at least 11 people were killed in the
explosions, CNN-Turk television reported.

But CNN-Turk television said police were
investigating whether the explosions were an
attack.

Jewish sites have been targeted in recent
attacks blamed on militants linked to Osama bin
Laden's Al-Qaida, notably in Casablanca,
Morocco in May and a Tunisian synagogue bombed
in April 2002.

The Neve Shalom synagogue was the sight of an
attack by gunmen in 1986. The gunmen,
believed to be Palestinians, killed 22
worshippers and wounded six during a Sabbath
service.