An explosion has hit a popular tourist spot in Istanbul, Turkey. The government says six people were killed and 81 others were wounded, and that the blast is considered to be a terrorist attack.

The blast occurred on Istiklal Avenue on Sunday while the area was bustling with shoppers.

Security camera footage temporarily went black, apparently due to the explosion. It then showed people falling to the ground or running away.

Turkish government officials say that based on camera footage and eyewitness accounts, they suspect the case to be a terrorist attack probably carried out by a woman.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged a thorough investigation, saying the perpetrators will be punished.

Turkey has not experienced any major terrorist incidents since the government tightened security following a series of attacks in 2016.

nhk