Powerful explosion kills three in Ankara

A powerful explosion killed three people and injured at least 15 in the centre of the Turkish capital on Tuesday, according to the country's interior minister.

Reuters/Stringer

The private NTV television station quoted Deputy Premier Bülent Arinc as saying that the blast was caused by a bomb, though the governor of Ankara held back from associating the blast with an attack.

One witness at the scene said a gas tube at a shop nearby was thrown outside and caused the car explosion, according to the governor.

The blast, which occurred near the Cankaya district adminisration offices, blew out the windows of shops and offices in the surrounding area, damaged cars, and sparked a fire, according to NTV.

Police sealed off the area, fearing a second explosion.

Kurdish rebels have conducted bomb attacks in Turkey cities in the past.

The blast comes after Turkish officials threatened to launch an incursion by ground forces against Kurdish rebel bases operating in Northern Iraq, following a recent spate of attacks.