Photos: Deadly explosion shakes the heart of Turkey’s Istanbul

At least six people were killed and 53 injured when an explosion rocked a busy pedestrian street in central Istanbul.

Ambulances rushed to the scene on the crowded Istiklal Avenue, which was quickly cordoned off by police. The Beyoglu district area of ​​the city was packed with shoppers, tourists and families.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said initial signs pointed to a “terrorist” attack.

“It could be wrong if we say for sure that this is terror, but according to the first indications… there is a smell of terror there,” Erdogan said at a televised news conference.