A Syrian minibus exploded at a crossing on Turkey’s border with Syria near the Turkish town of Reyhanli yesterday, killing at least 12 people including Turkish citizens and wounding dozens more.
Witnesses said they saw the vehicle drive up to the Cilvegozu border post, one of the main crossing points for Syrian refugees into Turkey, shortly before the explosion.
Turkish deputy prime minister Bulent Arinc said the government was investigating all possible causes of the blast, including a suicide attack, but it was wrong to jump to hasty conclusions.
“The information that we have for now is that a minibus with Syrian number plates coming from the other side exploded. It was a powerful explosion,” Mr Arinc, who is also the government spokesman, told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
“But whether this was a vehicle laden with explosives or another type of explosion, I think, at the latest, will become clear tomorrow.”
Mr Arinc said the death toll from the blast had risen to 12, including three Turks and nine Syrians. At least 28 people were wounded, 13 seriously. – (Reuters)
