Istanbul homicide bombings

Ananova | 11.15.2003 | Ananova

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At least 20 killed by Istanbul suicide bombers

Suicide car bombers have attacked two synagogues in Istanbul at almost the same time, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 257.

A militant Turkish Islamic group claimed responsibility for the blasts, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

One explosion went off outside the Neve Shalom synagogue, the city's largest. The other severely damaged the Beth Israel synagogue in the affluent district of Sisli, 3 miles away, where members of the city's tiny Jewish and Armenian, Greek communities live.

Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said at least 20 people were killed and 257 were injured. Earlier he said 23 people had been killed. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

Both attacks were suicide car bombings, Aksu said. Anatolia said more than 80 were wounded.

Sabri Yalim, the head of Istanbul's fire department, told private NTV television that the scene outside the Neve Shalom synagogue looked like a war zone. He said: "There is a huge pit on the ground. The houses and cars are completely destroyed, as if a huge earthquake hit the area."

The explosions occurred during morning Sabbath prayers. Most of the casualties appeared to be residents living nearby.

NTV television said a car was seen parked just before the explosion in front of the Neve Shalom.

In a telephone call to Anatolia, a person claiming to be from the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front said the militant group was responsible for the attacks, and promised more.

The caller said "the attacks would continue in the future and the reason was to prevent the oppression against Muslims," the agency said.

Story filed: 12:01 Saturday 15th November 2003