Istanbul
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An explosion has left people dead and injured at Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul Governor, Ali Yerlikaya, tweeted on Sunday that the explosion occurred at about 4:20 p.m. (1320 GMT), adding that there were deaths and injuries.

The cause of the explosion has yet to be ascertained.

A video posted online showed flames erupting and a loud bang, as pedestrians turned and ran away.

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Other footage showed ambulances, fire trucks, and police at the scene, while social media users said shops were shuttered and the avenue closed down.

A CNN broadcaster, Turk, disclosed that 11 people were injured, saying the avenue was a crowded thoroughfare popular with tourists and locals, lined by shops and restaurants.

Turkey was hit by a string of deadly bombings between 2015 and 2017 by the Islamic State group and outlawed Kurdish groups.

The Star

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