Deadly blast devastates Turkish police HQ in Kurdish region, string of attacks reported

Photos showing the aftermath of a massive blast that destroyed the entire face of a multi-story police HQ in Turkey’s Diyarbakir province has appeared online. Reports describe multiple casualties in Cinar, blaming the Kurdish PKK militant group for the attack.

At least five people, including an infant, were killed as a result of the attack, which took place early on Thursday in Diyarbakir province, local channel Haber3 reported, adding that 8 terrorists had been killed in clashes with police following the bombing.

In addition, 39 people, including civilians, were injured in the blast, many of which were trapped under the rubble of damaged buildings, according local media cited by BBC Turk.

Earlier, reports cited by self-described Kurdish activist Gilgo on Twitter said that PKK also launched attacks in the towns of Bismil, Cizre, Mardin, Silopi, Sirnak, and Van. There were no details or confirmation immediately available.

Social media reports claimed that between 6 and 31 people may have been killed in the attack in Cinar. No official death toll has yet been announced.

The Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that the police department was targeted with a car bomb and then attacked with “rocket launchers and long barreled weapons.” According to the newspaper, ambulances and paramedics have been deployed to the scene of the explosion, in which it says at least 22 people were wounded. 

• Turkish media claims the attack was perpetrated by the PKK.
• The massive explosion in the police HQ started a fire, leaving the entire building devastated. Pictures from the scene show severe structural damage with walls collapsed and flames raging within.
• Those wounded in the attack, including police officers and members of their families, have been taken to the Medical Faculty Hospital, according to Hurriyet.