Istanbul explosion: At least 6 dead, dozens wounded 

At least six people have been killed in an explosion in a busy area of central Istanbul, Turkish authorities have said. A further 81 have been wounded. 

The explosion happened at about 16:20 local time on Sunday on a shopping street in the Taksim Square area. 

It is thought to be a terrorist attack, carried out by a woman – who has since been arrested. 

President Erdogan said the perpetrators would be published and condemned the “vile attack” saying “the smell of terror” was in the air. 

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told Turkish media a woman sat on a bench in the area for more than 40 minutes, leaving just minutes before the blast took place. 

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said a person suspected of having left the bomb had been arrested and accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of responsibility. 

The PKK is a militant group which calls for an independent Kurdish state within Turkey. 

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.