23 October 2024 , 19:03
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Several people have been killed and at least 14 more wounded in a terrorist attack on the outskirts of Turkey’s capital of Ankara.
An explosion rocked the headquarters of TUSAS, one of Turkey’s most important defence and aviation companies, based in the town of Kahramankazan.
Footage circulating on social media shows the blast at the entrance of the facility, just metres away from the car park.
It was then followed by reports of gunfire in the vicinity, with people seen fleeing the scene and taking shelter.
The mayor of Kahramankazan province, Selim Cirpanoglu, told Turkish TV channel Tele1 that at least three people were killed and five more injured.
Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya later said the number of those wounded had risen to 14, adding that two of the attackers were killed.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear but some outlets claim that a suicide attack had taken place.
Haberturk TV said there was an ongoing ‘hostage situation’ without giving further details.
Private NTV television said a group of assailants arrived at an entry to the complex inside a taxi during a changing of the security personnel.
One of them is reported to have detonated a bomb, while three other attackers managed to enter the complex and open fire on staff inside.
A man in plainclothes carrying a backpack and holding an assault rifle entering the building
CCTV images circulating online show two men and a woman armed with assault rifles entering the premises.
In the background, the body of at least one person is seen on the asphalt in the car park.
Emergency services were dispatched to the site in the Kahramankazan district, the Turkish news agency Anadolu reported.
Yerlikaya said in an initial statement: ‘A terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAŞ) Ankara Kahramankazan facilities.
Relatives of employees gather near the scene as reports of a hostage situation remain unconfirmed (Picture: Reuters)
Security forces, firefighters, and paramedics are dispatched to Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) facilities after explosions and gunshots were reported (Picture: Getty)
‘Unfortunately, we have martyrs and injured people after the attack.’
Kurdish fighters, the Islamic State group and leftist extremists have carried out a number of attacks in the country in the past, but there has been no immediate claim.
TUSAS is one of Turkey’s most important defence and aerospace companies and produces KAAN, the country’s first national combat aircraft, among other projects.
It designs, manufactures and assembles both civilian and military aircrafts, drones and other defence industry and space systems.
The blast occurred as a major trade fair for the defense and aerospace industries was taking place in Istanbul which was visited this week by Ukrainian diplomats.
Nato head Mark Rutte said the military alliance would stand with its ally Turkey amid the deadly attack.
‘Deeply concerning reports of dead and wounded in Ankara. Nato stands with our ally Turkey,’ he said in a post on X.
‘We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and are monitoring developments closely.’