A citizen accidentally filmed the moment of the explosion recorded today on a pedestrian street "Beyoglu Istiklal", near the square "Taksim" in Istanbul, Turkey.
As can be seen in the video below, he was accidentally filming with his phone, when at that moment the powerful sound of the explosion is heard and flames are seen in the middle of the road.
As it can be seen from the view, the street was overcrowded with citizens, as after the explosion they turned back with a frightened run.
Turkish media reports that several people have been killed, while others have been injured, but the exact number is not yet known. The cause of the explosion has not been confirmed by officials, as it was recorded on one of the city's busiest commercial streets and is close to several tourist attractions.
"Today around 16:20, an explosion occurred on Taksim Istiklal Street in our Beyo?lu neighborhood. Our police, health, fire and AFAD teams were sent to the scene. There are victims and injured. Further developments will be shared with the public," Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter.
The city has been the target of ISIS attacks in the past. In 2017, 39 people were killed after gunmen opened fire at a nightclub in the Ortakoy neighborhood. ISIS militants also attacked Istanbul airport in 2016, killing 41 people.