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Turkish authorities impose media ban on coverage of Istanbul explosion

Turkey’s authorities usually impose such media bans after terrorist attacks barring broadcast and publication of graphic images or information that might hinder the investigation

ANKARA, December 11. /TASS/. Turkey’s media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council, has imposed a temporary media ban on coverage of the explosion near the Besiktas Vodafone Arena in Istanbul, a statement published on the Council’s website says.

Turkey’s authorities usually impose such media bans after terrorist attacks barring broadcast and publication of graphic images or information that might hinder the investigation.

The blast occurred at 22:30 local time (7:30 pm GMT) on Saturday by the stadium’s northwestern wall. According to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, "there were two explosions."

"One blast occurred right near the stadium while the other in Macka park. The second explosion is thought to have been caused by a suicide bomber," the minister said.

He added that the investigation was underway, the exact number of victims was being established. Soylu also said that he intended to inspect the explosion site.

According to the latest reports, 70 people have been wounded. According to Al Jazeera Turk, the explosions killed 15.

Russia’s Consulate General in Istanbul has not received any reports of casualties among Russian nationals in the blast that rocked the Besiktas Vodafone Arena, a source at the Russian diplomatic mission told TASS.