Istanbul CNN —
At least four people have been killed and 38 injured in an explosion in the heart of the Turkish city of Istanbul on Sunday afternoon, according to the city’s governor.
The injured are being treated, added the governor, Ali Yerlikaya.
“We wish God’s mercy for those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery for the injured,” he tweeted.
Yerlikaya earlier confirmed that the blast took place on Istiklal Street in Beyoglu Square.
“Our police, health, fire and AFAD teams were dispatched to the scene,” he said. “Developments will be shared with the public.”
An investigation into the explosion has been opened, the country’s official Anadolu news agency reported.
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has started the investigation, with five prosecutors assigned to it, according to the agency.
The city’s criminal court issued a broadcast ban on all visual and audio news, as well as social media, related to the blast, Anadolu added.
Local media reports and footage from the area showed a large number of emergency vehicles following the blast, with at least one person receiving medical attention. In the images, some people could be seen fleeing the scene and the area was being cordoned off by security services.
The cause of the explosion is unknown and CNN cannot independently verify if there are any casualties.
An eyewitness, journalist Tariq Keblaoui, told CNN that several people could be seen lying on the ground after the blast on Istiklal Street.
Keblaoui said he was in a shop on Istiklal Street when the explosion occurred about 10 meters in front of him.
The extent of the injuries to those he saw was unclear, but several people were bleeding from their legs and arms, he said.
Keblaoui said Istiklal Street, a popular tourist area, was very busy on Sunday. Istiklal Street is one of the main streets leading to Taksim Square.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu called for help from teams of police and health workers as they respond to the explosion in the city.
“It is essential to help our police and health teams in relation to the explosion on Istiklal Street, and avoid posts that may cause fear and panic. All relevant teams are in the region, we will provide healthy information,” he tweeted.
This is a developing story.