UPDATE - World leaders condemn blast on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue

UPDATES WITH MORE REACTIONS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez and Busra Nur Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - World leaders condemned an explosion on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue Sunday that left at least six people dead and injured 53 others.

"I have learned with deep anguish about the explosion at Istiklal Avenue in the heart of Istanbul," Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Twitter.

"(The) government and the people of Pakistan express deepest condolences to the brotherly people of Türkiye at the loss of precious lives and send prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," he added.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said in a statement that Baku is "deeply shocked" by the news, adding: "I extend my deep condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who were killed, and the brotherly people of Türkiye, and wish the injured recovery."

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was "deeply shocked by the news of today's explosion in the heart of Istanbul."

"Our thoughts are with the victims, and with all those who have lost their loved ones. We stand with Türkiye," he said on Twitter.

For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that he is "deeply saddened" by the news and extended condolences to the victims, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"The pain of the friendly Turkish people is our pain," Zelenkskyy added.

"Shocked and saddened by the news of the explosion in Istanbul, Türkiye this afternoon which resulted in numerous casualties," North Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said. "My deepest condolences to victims' families and their loved ones. Sincere wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "Shocking images from Istanbul. My thoughts and deepest condolences to all those affected & to the Turkish people. #NATO stands in solidarity with our Ally Türkiye."

The foreign ministries of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, India and Greece also expressed condolences.

According to Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya, the blast occurred at around 4.20 p.m. local time, with police and emergency officials cordoning off the scene.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that according to the initial information, the explosion could be a suspected act of terrorism and a woman played a role in it. "It smells like terrorism," he told a news conference before leaving for a G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.